Provincial pollution

 

 

In past decades, the northern city of Chiang Mai was renowned its clean environment and clear, fresh air. In recent times, however, a massive haze has blanketed the scenic views of the city and surrounding provinces, which has in turn led to a sharp drop in the local tourist trade.

Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about this pressing problem.

 

Since the annual haze began in February and covered many parts of northern Thailand, tourism has apparently dropped by more than 50 percent in Chiang Mai.

 

 

 

TOURISM IN TROUBLE

Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association official Udom Zidnayee said on March 24 that the haze was now a serious problem for Chiang Mai and other northern provinces. Information gathered by the association showed that the number of tourists visiting Chiang Mai, normally a popular destination, had dropped by more than 50 percent.

Udom was not able to give the exact number of tourists who had visited Chiang Mai since the haze hit, however a recent report from the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that an average of about five million tourists head to the northern capital every year.

“I need to see more concrete action taken to deal with the haze problem,” Udom said. “All related agencies should urgently come up with a long-term plan, or tourists will no longer come to Chiang Mai.”

DANGEROUS DUST

The Pollution Control Department recently said that Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district had the highest level of dust particles in the air.

On March 24, the department measured the dust particles across the North as ranging from 92.6 to 245.3 microgrammes per cubic metre. They also forecast that the haze would start to dissipate when storms hit.

INTER COOPERATION

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, permanent secretary for foreign affairs Sihasak Phuangketkaew plans to hold talks with his Myanmar counterpart in order to seek cooperation in solving the haze issue, which is causing serious health problems for people in the North.

Exercises

Read through the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The tourism business in Chiang Mai has dropped by 15 percent this year.
2. The highest level of dust particles in the air is in Chiang Mai's San Kam Paeng district.
3. Surapong Tovichakchaikul is the Minister of Finance.
4. According to a recent report, approximately five million tourists travel to Chiang Mai each year.

 

  • haze (n): air containing something that makes it difficult to see through
    blanket (v): to cover something completely with a thick layer
    sharp (adj): sudden and rapid, especially of a change in something
    pressing (adj): needing to be dealt with immediately
    concrete (adj): based on facts, not on ideas or guesses
    particle (n): a very small piece of something
    dissipate (v):d to gradually become or make something become weaker until it disappears
    counterpart (n): a person or thing that has the same position or function as somebody or something else in a different place or situation