Police in Nakhon Nayok are searching for those who lit massive, polluting farm waste fires

Police in Pak Phli district of Nakhon Nayok province have been ordered by the provincial governor to find those responsible for burning agricultural waste in rice fields.

The fires spread out of control to cover more than 2,080 hectares of harvested rice fields and community forests, belching huge columns of smoke into the sky, which has severely affected the air quality in neighbouring provinces, including Bangkok.

Hundreds of firemen, volunteers, local officials and troops were mobilised yesterday to contain the fires, which were brought under control late last night.

An initial investigation by local officials suggests that the agricultural waste was being burned to prepare the land for the next crop, but the fires spread out of control.

Local officials said that the level of PM2.5 airborne pollution in nearby Ongkharak district was measured at 198 microns today, over five times the safe level of 37.5 microns.

Many residents complained that the smoke was so thick last night that they were forced to close all the windows of their houses to prevent it from entering.

Pak Phli district police say that they will identify, arrest and take legal action against those responsible, adding that farmers and others who live in rural areas have been told not to burn agricultural waste or garbage during the dry season.