People living in Thailand’s southern provinces of Songkhla and Satun provinces have been warned to protect their health by wearing face masks as the two provinces are blanketed with smoke from forest fires on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island.

The 16th regional environment office reported today (Thursday) that dust particles of less than 2.5 microns, were measured at 55 microns/cubic metre during the past 24 hours in Hat Yai district of Songkhla. This may cause health problems such as coughing, breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

The office said that the smoke problem is worse in Hat Yai because the town is located in a basin, which limits air circulation.

Meanwhile, the southern meteorological centre reported more hot spots on Sumatra Island in the past few days, worsening the haze problem.