SHAH ALAM, 7 Oct: The residents of Songkhla in southern Thailand who have been affected by the haze have sent a letter of protest to Indonesia yesterday.
Banchorn Vichiangsri, who led a network of 20 representatives from private development agencies in the country, submitted the letter to the Community and Culture Consul Division at the Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla, Wanney Fabiomata.
The group that call themselves the Hatyai-Songkhla CitY Dwellers who are affected by the haze from Indonesia’ also gathered for half an hour in front of the consulate.
Among the contents of the letter written Thai, it said that the haze due to the burning of forests in Sumatra is affecting the people’s health.
“People, including children and senior citizens, are starting to have breathing problems and allergies and can only wonder when this whole haze issue will be solved,” he said.
The report by Bernama also also said that the letter appealed to Indonesia to be responsible in solving the issue with full commitment.
“Only the Indonesian government knows the causes and solutions to the issue,” the letter said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Jen Prayuth Chan-ocha wants bilateral and regional discussions on the haze to be held after the haze from Indonesia not only affected some areas, but also affected the tourist areas of Phuket and Hatyai.
“As this time the problem is more serious compared to be before, I have instructed officials in the Foreign Ministry to discuss with the country the cause of this problem and how they can handle it,” he said in a press conference after the Cabinet weekly meeting yesterday.
The Northern Index readings in seven southern provinces at 9 am yesterday are Satun (210), Songkhla (163) and Phuket (136) are at dangerous levels while Pattani (102), Yala (97), Narathiwat (72) and Surat Thani (59) recorded moderate readings.
NS
