164 replies to this topic
Posted 2009-03-15 15:06:27
 IraqRon, on 2009-03-15 13:25:59, said:
Hi Limbo, I didn't intend to blame Burma and I agree that blaming others is an excuse to not take action yourself.
No, sorry Ron, I meant more in general the tendency to point fingers elsewhere.
You just pointed out the fact there are no borders in the air.
As a father I also would worry about my kids as they don't have buttons with which you can put them on half-speed.
You can't lock them in either for three weeks or more. Or tell them to breath less.
I was so surprised that Mae Sai / Tachilek was almost clear, that I realised that the smog wasn't partly coming from China and Burma as I expected.
I considered it as hopefull, because then the problem could be solved here, independent from the other countries of the 'economic quadrangle'.
I now understand that the explanation might be that Mae Sai isn't in the same 'bowl or valley' as you describe. It was windy when in Chiang Rai not even the smallest leaf moved. If I understand you right it could mean, that if the political will can be mobilised the problem could be solved, at least can be controlled by concentrating on the valley?
Where is the rain? It was promised.
Thanks for the map, Priceless!
Limbo 
Posted 2009-03-15 17:34:02
No to need to apologize Limbo, I didn't take it personally at all and I do agree with your statements.
I am not thinking that concentrating on our valley will solve the overall problem of the air polution in CR area, just too many other factors. Having said that, I can't help but feel, without imperical data, that tackling the problem locally would help at least some. However, as you said, the political will to do anything may not exist. People would need to be offered an alternative and those aren't free usually. But that is no reason for inaction really, just an excuse.
We have to begin somewhere and local action is what any of us in CR can do if we try. Waiting on the various governments to come up with plans and implementing those plans may take forever. It won't be just one big solution that does it, but perhaps hundreds of small, sustainable, and practicle solutions that add up to a large contribution.
Or do we wait till all the ice is melted before taking action, as one eminent British pol as stated.
Posted 2009-03-15 20:58:30
One good thing that's come of it, the nose picking fraternity are getting some spectacular trophies.
Err... so they tell me. 
Posted 2009-03-16 21:52:09
sceadugenga, on 2009-03-15 20:58:30, said: One good thing that's come of it, the nose picking fraternity are getting some spectacular trophies.
Err... so they tell me.
Dear Scea!
I have really been trying, please believe me, to catch the deeper sence of your outpouring.
I failed!
In all humbleness I ask you to elaborate (as I think it might be in english).
I think that your answer might bring us all a little bit closer to the truth!
Sorry, in all friendliness!
Limbo
Posted 2009-03-17 07:24:27
May be some things are best left with as little elaboration as possible Limbo. 
Posted 2009-03-17 10:24:41
sceadugenga, on 2009-03-17 07:24:27, said: May be some things are best left with as little elaboration as possible Limbo.
If anything mine are a little disapointing of late. I guess the PM's are too small to make a difference out here in Phayamengrai.
Looks like the worst day yet to me today. The grey smokes got an almost green tint or is it my eyes . Hopefully There's some rain in it.
Can't complain about the heat though. There isn't any !
Posted 2009-03-17 19:38:58
We've got a Thunder Storm. Rain not heavy but fingers crossed. Nice fresh Air tomorrow maybe.
Posted 2009-03-17 19:46:11
A short shower here as well.
Posted 2009-03-18 05:14:02
All the frogs within 5 km from our house are so happy after the little rain and all of them wants to be heard.
Bl**dy noicy!
I just checked the fires in SE-Asia and found out that it has changed quite dramatically the last couple of days.
Fires_in_SEAsia_09_03_15.jpg 102.36K
19 downloads
This map is from last Saturday, 3 days ago.
Fires_in_SEAsia_09_03_18_2.jpg 93.68K
18 downloads
And this one from today (very early morning!)
They have stopped the fires in northern Thailand and eastern Burma but started a lot in Laos, Cambodja and soutwest China.
Hopefully we will get a little bit better air and hopefull much more rain over the whole region!
BTW another good neighbour started a new fire last Sunday so now 100 % of our little farm is burned. So we don´t have to worry no more! 
 
Red: Visibility in Chiang Rai 3 km ! That is 3 times better than last Saturday!
Edited by svenivan, 2009-03-18 05:18:40.
Posted 2009-03-18 17:23:43
svenivan, on 2009-03-18 05:14:02, said: All the frogs within 5 km from our house are so happy after the little rain and all of them wants to be heard.
Bl**dy noicy!
I just checked the fires in SE-Asia and found out that it has changed quite dramatically the last couple of days.
 Fires_in...09_03_15.jpg
This map is from last Saturday, 3 days ago.
Fires_in..._03_18_2.jpg
And this one from today (very early morning!)
They have stopped the fires in northern Thailand and eastern Burma but started a lot in Laos, Cambodja and soutwest China.
Hopefully we will get a little bit better air and hopefull much more rain over the whole region!
BTW another good neighbour started a new fire last Sunday so now 100 % of our little farm is burned. So we don´t have to worry no more!
Red: Visibility in Chiang Rai 3 km ! That is 3 times better than last Saturday!
Sven, fill us in on what happened to your farm!!! I remember you said that some trees got burned by careless neighbors, did all of it get destroyed? If so this is very sad and I a sorry to hear that happened.
In what general area is it?? Is it on a hillside or close to other farms??
Posted 2009-03-18 23:11:05
IraqRon, on 2009-03-18 17:23:43, said: Sven, fill us in on what happened to your farm!!! I remember you said that some trees got burned by careless neighbors, did all of it get destroyed? If so this is very sad and I a sorry to hear that happened.
In what general area is it?? Is it on a hillside or close to other farms??
We are talking about two fires. The first one was 20 days ago and affected 20-25 of our rubbertrees plus some but just a few of the lumjaytrees. Maybe covered 10% of the land.
The second one happened last Sunday. That one covered every sqm that the first one missed. We will have no lumjay this year and probably many of the trees will die.
Same neighbour has started this fire 3 years in a row now. They don´t cut the grass year around, just spray maybe a liter of diesel, light a match and leave. Cost them maybe 25 baht, why spend thousands of baht keeping the land clean when all you need is to have a little fire once a year. ( If your neighbours land and houses burn, who cares ?)
My wife has visited 5 puya baan, one policebox, tamboon administration and today Chiang Ray Province Policestn.
Will that help next year?
No.
 
Posted 2009-03-19 07:55:46
I understand that you can get compensation if you can prove who started it. I've never taken it any further but if it was the same guy for 3 years then I would be tempted to take it further. What have the officials got to say ?
If you think nothing can be done then maybe you should think about planting some Teak instead. Its amazing how fire resistant young teak is.
Posted 2009-03-19 13:36:35
I am sorry to hear this Sven, it is what is called a major bummer. Something for all of us with land to think about.
The neighbor is a shit head for being so careless but ...... good luck in whatever you do to get compensation.
Posted 2009-03-19 15:31:13
There is a huge amount of information on the Chiang Mai forum about air pollution. If you start term searching with the likes of "air pollution, you find quite a lot going back quite a ways.
Not surprisingly, there is a bewildering number of threads. The one that seems to be getting most of the attention these days is: "Thailand's Polluted Air is in the North."
Posted 2009-03-20 22:55:03
Maybe the worst is over for this year.
According to Thai Meteorlogicals so is visibility in Chiang Rai now 6 km !
But still only 1 km in Lamphun!
Check the Firemap!
Fires_Thailand_09_03_20.jpg 50.32K
6 downloads
Posted 2009-03-20 23:39:34
svenivan, on 2009-03-18 23:11:05, said: IraqRon, on 2009-03-18 17:23:43, said: Sven, fill us in on what happened to your farm!!! I remember you said that some trees got burned by careless neighbors, did all of it get destroyed? If so this is very sad and I a sorry to hear that happened.
In what general area is it?? Is it on a hillside or close to other farms??
We are talking about two fires. The first one was 20 days ago and affected 20-25 of our rubbertrees plus some but just a few of the lumjaytrees. Maybe covered 10% of the land.
The second one happened last Sunday. That one covered every sqm that the first one missed. We will have no lumjay this year and probably many of the trees will die.
Same neighbour has started this fire 3 years in a row now. They don´t cut the grass year around, just spray maybe a liter of diesel, light a match and leave. Cost them maybe 25 baht, why spend thousands of baht keeping the land clean when all you need is to have a little fire once a year. ( If your neighbours land and houses burn, who cares ?)
My wife has visited 5 puya baan, one policebox, tamboon administration and today Chiang Ray Province Policestn.
Will that help next year?
No.
Sven, have you cut a firebreak around your land? I've got about 113 rai here in Chiang Mai and I have a 3m firebreak around most of it. The whole perimeter surrounding our land was burned this year, but less than 1/2 rai of ours burned because of the firebreak. Additionally, you might consider burning 4-5 meters of your neighbors land next year in mid February as a preventative measure.
Posted 2009-03-21 07:10:54
You can also set his ass on fire meanwhile. That fire map must be a joke, it is highly implausbile that within 4 days time all the burning just stopped all over Thailand. Last week it was basically all red. Wow, I say with positivity!
Posted 2009-03-22 16:03:15
lannarebirth, on 2009-03-20 23:39:34, said: Sven, have you cut a firebreak around your land? I've got about 113 rai here in Chiang Mai and I have a 3m firebreak around most of it. The whole perimeter surrounding our land was burned this year, but less than 1/2 rai of ours burned because of the firebreak. Additionally, you might consider burning 4-5 meters of your neighbors land next year in mid February as a preventative measure.
Yes, I plowed a couple of times about 3-4 m wide so it was just plain soil.
It did not help because the "jungle" that my lovely neighbour put on fire was at least 3 m high and he probably waited until it was a good wind so he did not need more than one match!
Posted 2009-03-23 13:09:17
goski, on 2009-03-21 07:10:54, said: You can also set his ass on fire meanwhile. That fire map must be a joke, it is highly implausbile that within 4 days time all the burning just stopped all over Thailand. Last week it was basically all red. Wow, I say with positivity!
Back to "all red" again!
Fires_in_SEAsia_09_03_23.jpg 89.49K
7 downloads
Are you happy now Goski?
Posted 2009-03-23 18:58:19
Plenty of rain coming down here at the moment.
Posted 2009-03-23 20:12:42
Same at Tha Sai. Strong wind and decent rain. Tomorrow will be a clear day.
sceadugenga, on 2009-03-23 18:58:19, said: Plenty of rain coming down here at the moment.
Posted 2009-03-23 21:49:32
Oh, bother.
Threat of rain, lightning, smell of rain in the air...
Not a drop in poor dry CM. 
Posted 2009-03-26 18:20:32
Heavy rain and marble size hail out here around 4pm.
Lasted about an hour.
Posted 2009-03-27 22:59:03
sceadugenga, on 2009-03-26 18:20:32, said: Heavy rain and marble size hail out here around 4pm.
Lasted about an hour.
I noticed today I was coughing a lot from the smoke. The haze was burning my eyes...they were watering more than usual. I felt I was gasping from the pain in my lungs...
I decided to go outside of the bar in Pattaya...the weather was much nicer outside on the beach but I still love the smokey atmosphere...looking forward to going to Chiang Rai soon.
Posted 2009-03-27 23:39:56
Hope we get more rain soon.
|
Sponsored by:
|
