Air quality in nine southern provinces has improved, with the amount of PM2.5 fine dust particles dropping to between 7-31 micrograms/cubic metre, according to Thailand’s Department of Pollution Control.

In Chien Yai district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where the Khuan Khreng peat swamp forest has been burning for almost a month now, the department said that the amount of PM2.5 dust particles has dropped to 20 micrograms/cubic metre.

Meanwhile, the 24 hour average amount of PM10 particulate in the lower part of the southern region was measured at between 20-47 micrograms/cubic metre yesterday, which was lower than the air quality readings a day earlier.

Air quality readings for PM2.5 dust particles in the nine southern provinces for the past 24 hours are as follows:

• 14 mcg/cm in Tambon Makhamtia, Muang district of Surat Thani
• 7 mcg/cm in Tambon Taladyai in Muang district of Phuket
• 20 mcg/cm in Tambon Khao Phra Baat in Chieng Yai district of Nakhon Si Thammarat
• 14 mcg/cm in Tambon Ban Kuan in Muang district of Trang
• 31 mcg/cm in Tambon Hat Yai of Hat Yai district of Songkhla
• 21 mcg/cm in Tambon Pimarn of Muang district of Satun
• 14 mcg/cm in Tambon Rasameelae in Muang district of Pattani
• 26 mcg/cm in Tambon Sateng in Muang district of Yala
• 20 mcg/cm in Tambon Bang Nark in Muang district of Narathiwat

The Khuan Khreng peat swamp forest in Chieng Yai district was still burning yesterday and has spread to an oil palm plantation in Ban Suan Luang of Tambon Suan Luang, prompting fire trucks from the 41st army circle and Suan Luang Tambon Administration Organization (TAO) to rush to control the fire.