Face masks handed out in Southern Thailand due to haze

Yesterday face masks were being distributed in haze hit southern Thailand despite a slight improvement in the situation.

The move came after Prime Minister Prayut Chan o cha instructed relevant agencies, including the Public Heath, Interior, Education and Defense ministries to take action. The Public Health Minister stated that his ministry had ordered public hospitals to advise people to stay at home during the haze and distribute face masks and suggest anybody wishing to partake in exercise should do so at home behind closed doors.

Hat Yai in the Songkhla province has been one of the worst affected areas, with particulate matter up to 10 microns in size. A total of 269,050 masks have been handed out in all 16 districts of Songkhla so far. Currently there has been no increase in respiratory problems in the area, however the PM has instructed those in the affected areas to keep their eyes open for problems relating to the haze.

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