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Thai Pime Minister Advises Masks Against Bangkok Smog

Associated Press

   BANGKOK - Thailand's prime minister urged residents of Bangkok to wear
   face masks on Monday after smog covered parts of the capital in what
   some fear is a harbinger of more pollution to come.

   Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha warned in a statement on his Facebook
   page that the concentration of tiny dust particles called PM2.5 in the
   air had reached unsafe levels and said he has ordered government
   agencies to expedite anti-pollution measures. He also asked the
   construction and manufacturing sectors to reduce activities that
   release pollutants.

   Smog levels are expected to stay high for the next two or three days.

   The head of the country's Pollution Control Department, Pralong
   Damrongthai, said the visibly dirty air was not caused by smoke
   originating from forest fires in Indonesia. Since last month, haze
   blown by monsoon winds from fires in Indonesia has affected nearby
   countries including the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and parts of
   southern Thailand, raising concerns about aviation safety and health.
   

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