The navy has also sent a few water tankers up to the northern region of Thailand to help out. Municipal authorities have been coordinating the spraying operations and also utilising their own tankers and fire-tenders.
The operation seems to have met with some success as air pollution levels had dropped by late yesterday afternoon. According to the provincial Pollution Control Department, measurements taken at Provincial Hall and Yupharat School indicated 189 and 199 micrograms of particulates per cm³ in the air.
Despite the fact the particulate levels were considerably lower than in the morning, health officials say they remain above safe levels. The smog is a direct result of farmers burning land to clear it plus forest fires in the mountains surrounding the city.
Lieutenant-general Sathit Pittarat said he had also dispatched military fire-fighters with the necessary equipment and vehicles to tackle the forest fires. He warned farmers found to have burnt stubble or forest would be facing legal action.
Thai military fights Chiang Mai smog
News in Asia
Squadrons of Thai military personnel have been draughted in to help fight the seasonal smog currently covering Chiang Mai. Both the army and the air force have been assisting by sending aircraft up to spray water to disperse the haze.