Local News

Magical masks A visitor examines a collection of khon masks made by the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre. The masks are displayed at Siam Paragon shopping mall as part of the exhibition to honour His Majesty the King's 84th birthday anniversary.

 

Horrible haze

Southerners suffer bad air

Residents in Southern Thailand are being warned to wear face masks outdoors, as haze has enshrouded Yala province for the fourth time in less than three months. The haze has been caused by bush fires in from Indonesia.

The thick smog hit on the morning of September 9, reducing visibility in many areas. Many people have reported sharp pains in their eyes and noses as a result of being exposed to the pollution.

Yala and neighbouring provinces in the far South previously faced similar haze problems in July and August.

School tools

Minister offers more help

Education Minister Woravat Au-apinyakul on September 8 announced plans to provide more assistance measures to school students under the government's 15-year free education policy. The government currently waives tuition fees for public schools and provides free uniforms, textbooks and other educational materials for all students under compulsory education. This policy was introduced in 2008.

Woravat said that he will ask education authorities to conduct a survey to find out what kind of additional assistance parents and students would like the ministry to offer.