The work from home measure, introduced by the Chiang Mai provincial administration yesterday Friday), will continue until Sunday, as the PM2.5 pollution problem in the province has not improved.

Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn announced that, if there is any change to air pollution in the province, the public will be informed.

The private and public sectors in the province have been asked to allow their staff to work from home, as long as their absence from the office will not affect their businesses or public services.

Meanwhile, Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai remains shrouded in dust today, as air pollution has not shown any sign of abating. Average PM2.5 dust levels in the border town over the past 24 hours exceeded 300 microns.

District officials said that many villagers, living in a community in Mae Sai’s municipal area, kept vigil all night last night for fear that bush fires from Myanmar may spread to their community.

Troops from the Pha Muang task force helped volunteers to control fires behind a monastery in Ban Hua Fai village.

Officials say that the summer storm, forecast to hit northern Thailand today and tomorrow, might miss Chiang Rai province, meaning that air pollution in Mae Sai is likely to persist.