FORMER MOVE Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to set a clear timeline to tackle the problem of forest fires and toxic PM2.5 air pollution while visiting Chiang Mai this weekend, Naewna newspaper said today (Mar. 17),
Speaking to reporters at a restaurant in this northern city, Pita said he got direct experience in extinguishing a forest fire with a team of volunteers and was introduced to technology that can be used to solve this problem by the National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT) and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
After being briefed by experts at NARIT he now sees that science and technology are important tools in solving this problem.
In particular, satellite imagery gives an overall picture of the problem. It can be used to analyse statistics and predict in advance where forest fires will occur and how severe the PM2.5 toxic dust in various areas will be during the week and when the air pollution will ease.
There are also instruments that shoot laser beams into the atmosphere to measure the concentration of PM2.5 toxic dust and this information will help the government issue policies more accurately and timely, he said, adding the two agencies are able to produce these tools themselves without having to import them from abroad.
Pita urged Srettha to set a clear timeline to solve the problem of unsafe PM2.5 levels, for example short term which would be looking at what could be done within this week or next month because statistics show forest fires and toxic dust will be at their worst then.
Next would be making plans to tackle this problem next year because if there is a clear timeline then officials and various sectors would cooperate and move ahead in a united manner.
Pita added that it is too late now to look into the root cause of harmful PM2.5 pollution but the government should quickly alleviate the suffering of the people such as by providing N95 masks and air purifiers at prices that the people can afford as well as arranging dust-free rooms especially at schools and medical facilities.
The government should also increase the number of forest fire fighters.
“The government can quickly implement these things – within this week,” he said.
The important factor in extinguishing forest fires is getting firefighters and water there in time. The patterns of forest fires have to be studied to kick off the “economy of speed” which is getting to the spots these fires are spreading to before they do so.
Then there is “economy of scale” which is expanding the team so that they are at all endangered spots at the same time.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat helping firefighters put out a forest fire in the Chiang Mai area yesterday, Mar. 16. 2024. Photo: Sanook.com
Insert and Front Page: Pita Limjaroenrat in Chiang Mai this weekend. Photos: Matichon
Also read: Thaksin tells critics: ‘To each their own’
Move Forward dissolution bid part of Thaksin’s secret deal
Conspiracy hatched to crush Move Forward: Chaithawat
Move Forward dissolution bid would be waived in other democratic countries: Academic
Feature: Thai air force’s fighter choices – why pay more?
Chinese buying trends still strongly boost residential market: Savills Thailand
PM leads “Peace Through Tourism” visit to South Thailand
Phuket entrepreneur praises Anutin for inspecting Patong beach area
Sky Doctor flies ailing German tourist from Koh Samui to Trang
2 Replies to “Pita tells Srettha to set a timeline to solve forest fires, toxic dust woes”