Aimed primarily at elderly, young and those with heart and respiratory complications, the advisory by the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) issued yesterday was based on PM10 readings in Phuket of 125 (story here).
Nonetheless, a spokesperson from the “Monitor and Warning” section of the local Environment Office this morning said dust (smoke) particles in the atmosphere constituted a low to medium hazard level in Phuket and other affected Southern Thailand provinces, and that there is no immediate health risk.
They said that the situation had been exasperated by the Southwesterly monsoons, carrying smoke from Sumatra wild fires.
Nonetheless, those with respitory and heart conditions, in addition to the elderly and young, should avoid hazy conditions outside.