BANGKOK, 31 April 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has pushed for solutions to the problem of toxic haze in ASEAN. The haze situation in the northern part of Thailand has shown signs of improvement compared to last year.

Director-General of the Department of Pollution Control Wicharn Simachaya said this year’s haze situation in the northern region was better than last year although the average particulate level of nine northern provinces was higher than safe levels. The highest particulate level was measured at 317 micrograms/cubic meter in Mueang district, Chiang Rai province, decreasing from last year by 64 micrograms/cubic meter.

The smog situation in the North was still critical and the department would continue monitoring cross-border haze until the Songkran festival ended, said the director-general.

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent-Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Araya Nanthaphothidet said the ministry had asked for cooperation from the ASEAN Secretariat and the neighboring countries on cross-border haze. A meeting on air pollution across the region will be held in August in Malaysia. - See more at: http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNEVN5903310010005#sthash.l1CUw8Tm.dpuf