In an effort to address the increasing problem of PM2.5 fine dust pollution in the North, the government is considering a potential ban on corn imports from neighboring countries starting next year.
During his visit to Chiang Mai, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized the importance of implementing preventive measures to combat wildfires and haze. Discussions have taken place with ministries in Cambodia, Laos, and the Myanmar army regarding the shared concern of preventing neighboring countries from burning agricultural waste that contributes to the pollution issue.
Acknowledging the economic reasons behind the burning of agricultural waste, the Prime Minister stressed the need to find innovative solutions and collaborate with the military to assist in the proper disposal of such waste. He highlighted the importance of educating farmers and providing them with alternative practices to burning.
The government plans to increase funding for wildfire prevention efforts and has been actively addressing other contributing factors such as traffic congestion. Prime Minister Srettha mentioned that while there has been some improvement in fine dust levels compared to the previous year, certain provinces, including Chiang Mai, have still experienced high pollution levels.
Recent data from IQAir indicates that Chiang Mai has been ranked as the city with the highest air pollution levels globally, followed by cities like Lahore, Beijing, Delhi, and Dhaka. This underscores the urgency for concerted efforts to tackle the issue of air pollution in the region.
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