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Over 10 million Thais suffered illnesses linked to toxic air in 2023
In 2023, more than 10 million Thai citizens found themselves seeking medical treatment for illnesses directly connected to toxic air pollution, according to revelations by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). This disclosure comes amidst a deepening crisis of toxic air pollution across Thailand, predominantly stemming from widespread farm burning and forest fires, particularly prevalent in the country’s northern regions. This hazardous phenomenon annually envelops the nation in a noxious smog, and unfortunately, the onset of 2024 has shown no signs of respite, witnessing a significant surge in toxic air-related diseases compared to the preceding year.
As per reports from AFP, the number of individuals seeking treatment for illnesses linked to air pollution surged from 1.3 million in the first nine weeks of 2023 to a staggering 1.6 million at the beginning of 2024. This alarming escalation comes into stark perspective when considering Thailand’s approximate population of 72 million.
The adverse effects of this crisis are manifold, affecting individuals across a spectrum of chronic conditions, including lung cancer, bronchitis, asthma, and heart diseases. The NESDC has sounded the alarm, emphasizing the urgent need for prioritizing measures to address the impact of PM2.5, a key pollutant, on public health.
PM2.5, referring to hazardous particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, poses significant health risks as it penetrates the bloodstream through the lungs. Exposure to these micro-pollutants can lead to eye and skin irritation, along with respiratory distress such as coughing and chest tightness, exacerbating pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
Cities in northern Thailand, notably Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lampang, have garnered infamy for their air quality issues, with air quality monitoring platforms like IQAir rating them as “unhealthy.” The dry season, typically spanning from November to March, exacerbates the situation due to seasonal burning practices by farmers clearing sugarcane and rice fields.
In response to this pressing crisis, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has pledged to enhance air quality, with legislative support demonstrated by the endorsement of a bill aimed at combating pollution. Recent initiatives include plans to deploy 30 aircraft nationwide for cloud seeding to induce rain and alleviate pollution.
As pollution levels escalated in February, Bangkok authorities urged employees to work from home for two days to mitigate health risks. Over the years, citizens and environmental groups have resorted to legal action, demanding government intervention against pollution. A significant case saw approximately 1,700 individuals in Chiang Mai filing a lawsuit against former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and two state agencies for negligence in pollution control, alleging a substantial impact on life expectancy. Notably, in January of this year, a Chiang Mai court mandated the government to devise an emergency plan to improve air quality within 90 days.
In conclusion, Thailand’s toxic air crisis poses a grave threat to public health and demands immediate and concerted action from both government authorities and civil society. Urgent measures are needed to address the root causes of pollution, mitigate its harmful effects, and ensure the well-being of millions of citizens affected by this pervasive environmental hazard.
News
Pickup truck crash in Lampang kills one amid heavy rain
Due to heavy rain, a pickup truck returning from Chiang Mai skidded off the road and crashed into a tree in Thoen, Lampang.
Despite the efforts of rescue teams, a 50-year-old woman tragically lost her life.
The accident was reported to Thoen Police Station in Lampang at 6:50 PM yesterday, July 30.
The incident occurred on Phahonyothin Road, between kilometer markers 632 and 633, near the Mae Thot intersection in Thoen district.
Rescue units from Mae Thot, Lampang, Thoen, and Ombun Thoen were promptly dispatched to the scene.
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Upon arrival, responders discovered a white, four-door Mazda pickup truck with a Surin registration overturned and severely damaged from colliding with a large roadside tree. Inside the vehicle, four injured individuals were trapped.
Rescue teams quickly extracted three injured and provided initial medical assistance before transferring them to a hospital.
However, a 50-year-old woman from the Na Pang subdistrict, Phu Phiang district, Nan province, who was seated in the back, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them before she could be freed from the wreckage.
Initial investigations revealed that the group had traveled from Chiang Mai to Nakhon Pathom.
The accident occurred on a curved section of the road, worsened by wet and slippery conditions from the rain.
The vehicle lost control and crashed violently into the tree.
After extracting and treating the injured, the deceased’s body was transported to the hospital for further examination.
Police have launched a formal investigation into the accident. They are gathering evidence and statements from the injured to understand the exact circumstances leading to the crash.
The results of the investigation will guide necessary legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.
Authorities advised.
“We urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution, especially in bad weather and on curved roads.”
News
Police arrest violent debt collector after tip-off in Bangkok
Police apprehended a member of a violent debt collection gang linked to the assault of a 73-year-old woman following a tip-off. He was caught while attempting to flee from a motel on the outskirts of Bangkok.
High-ranking police officials, including Thiti Sangsawang, Noppasin Poolsawat, and Thiradech Thamsuthee, along with a team of investigators, successfully arrested Kritchit, also known as 33-year-old Chit Thasala, from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province today, July 30.
He is one of the three members of the gang responsible for violent debt collection activities, including physical assault, intimidation, kicking doors, cutting off electricity, and locking debtors inside their homes.
The Min Buri Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Kritchit on July 23 for operating an unauthorized personal loan business, charging excessive interest, and threatening debt collection practices.
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He was apprehended at a hotel in the Saphan Sung district as he tried to escape in his car. During interrogation, Kritchit denied all charges, stating he had only completed Grade 9 and initially worked as a fruit farmer in Phuket’s Thalang District. In 2022, he sold his orchard land and used the proceeds to start a money-lending business.
He collaborated with two other suspects, Ta and Khet, who are still at large, to lend money in the Min Buri, Ram Inthra, Rom Klao, and On Nut areas.
They charged an interest rate of 20% daily, with borrowers typically taking out 5,000 to 6,000 baht loans. Kritchit claimed that Ta and Khet were responsible for using violence against the debtors on the day of the incident.
“I only worked with Ta and Khet to lend money. They were the ones who used violence.”
However, police remain skeptical of his testimony. Investigations revealed that Kritchit is romantically involved with the younger sister of Kenwit, another gang member who was previously arrested for assaulting the older woman.
Kenwit’s gang had attacked the 73-year-old in the Chokchai area. After receiving a tip-off, Kritchit fled to the hotel, where he was captured.
Police have transferred Kritchit to the Min Buri Police Station for further legal proceedings. His capture is a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown against violent debt collection gangs operating in Bangkok and nearby areas.
As one of the lead investigators remarked, we are committed to cracking down on these illegal activities and ensuring the safety of our citizens.
Kritchit’s case will proceed through the legal system, and police are continuing their search for the remaining gang members, Ta and Khet. The investigation remains ongoing, with police hopeful that further arrests will follow, dismantling the entire network of violent debt collectors, reported Khaosod.
News
Thai vendor denies assault, cites stress from poor sales
A Thai grilled squid vendor turned himself in and expressed remorse after allegedly striking a Pattaya city official who requested him to move his sidecar motorcycle from obstructing traffic.
The vendor, however, denied the physical assault, citing stress from poor sales as the trigger for the incident. He claimed their encounter was limited to a verbal disagreement and a shirt tug.
Pattaya police yesterday, July 29, invited Siwachett Nakham, a 42-year-old former temporary employee at the government’s Public Works Department and a current grilled squid vendor, to meet with an investigator to address the dispute.
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The altercation involved Siwachett and a 40-year-old Pattaya city official, Udon Woranam, who had requested Siwachett to move his vehicle, blocking traffic near Jomtien Beach in front of the Dongtan Police Box. Siwachett was accused of punching Udon after the latter politely asked him to move his motorcycle. Siwachett, who acknowledged being the person in the video, denied the physical assault, maintaining that he only had a verbal confrontation with Udon and tugged his shirt.
He cited stress from poor sales and financial burdens as the reasons behind his behavior.
“I did not intend to harm Mr Udon because I had worked with the Public Works Department before, so I knew hitting an official was a bad idea.”
Siwachett apologized for his actions, and Udon said he did not wish to pursue the matter further. Despite this, Pattaya City insisted on taking legal action against the vendor to set a precedent and deter similar future incidents.
Selling goods
Additionally, Udon advised other vendors to remain calm, control their emotions, and adhere to the designated areas for selling their goods according to the law.
Following resolving this dispute, traffic police officers from Pattaya Police Station raided vendors illegally selling goods on public sidewalks and roads around Pattaya. This operation was in response to tourists’ complaints about obstructions and hazards caused by unorganized vendors.
When authorities arrived near Pattaya Police Station’s Dong Tan substation, they encountered heavy traffic congestion caused by street vendors parking on the road. Some vendors attempted to evade arrest by speeding through the officers’ blockade, putting the safety of officers and nearby individuals at risk.
Thai police managed to apprehend 12 vendors, who will now face legal proceedings for violating traffic and cleanliness laws. The police also announced plans to increase daily inspections in collaboration with municipal officials to restore public spaces for residents and tourists, reported the Pattaya News.
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