BANGKOK, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Hat Yai city authorities in Thailand begun handling out face masks to residents and tourists on Friday as the annual haze from forest fires in Indonesia hovered over southern Thailand.
In Trang, masks are being delivered to district offices for distribution.
The Region 16 Environmental Office in Songkhla province on Friday reported the level of PM2.5 (particulate matter) at 54 microgrammes per cubic meter of air, which authorities said exceeded the safe threshold set at 50 in Thailand. Satun was also above 50, but other provinces remained in the safe zone.
The Pollution Control Department, however, reported the PM2.5 level in Hat Yai, Songkhla at 69 microgrammes per cubic meter of air, the worst in the southern region, followed by Satun district at 59 microgrammes per cubic meter of air.
The Region 16 office advised people in Hat Yai to wear masks for outdoor activities, and immediately consult doctors if they have breathing problems.
The Health and Environmental Office of Hat Yai Municipality said they have stocked up 250,000 masks and will hand out to residents and tourists in the city.
In Trang Province, the Provincial Health Office delivered 12,000 masks to district offices. Trang provincial health chief Banjerd Sukpipatpanon said the dust level in the province was measured at 40 microgrammes per cubic meter of air.
The annual forest fires from the nearby island of Sumatra in Indonesia are also sending smoke and ash to Singapore and Malaysia.
