Bazle

Thanks. That's not far from mine. However, I think AC set at 25°C WOULD give me a dry throat!

In London, I have my central heating set at 18.5°C for overnight and when I go out, and at 21°C for other times (except when I'm away). In Thailand, I have the AC set at 27°C. Some people will think that is not cool enough, but it's fine for me. Just as well as I don't think I'd get the temperature below that! I'd be interested to know how this compares with how other BMs set their thermostats.

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand The Ministry of Interior, through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reveals three strategic approaches to address issues related to forest fires, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution 1. Pollution Reduction at the Source: Collaboration between districts and local administrative organizations is emphasized to prevent and reduce pollution at the source (origin). Authorities with legal responsibilities are directed to enforce laws rigorously. 2. Public Awareness Campaign: Prioritizing proactive communication to inform and raise awareness among the public regarding the prevailing situation and the causes of particulate matter. Encouraging public involvement to collectively prevent and alleviate pollution issues in the area. 3. Emergency Response to Forest Fires, Haze, or Elevated PM2.5 Levels: Implementing various precautionary measures. Prioritizing the safety of personnel involved. Establishing safe zones and dust-free rooms adequately. Providing assistance in accordance with relevant regulations and strict, transparent criteria. Additionally, to prevent hazards during the Chinese New Year festivities in 2024, provinces, districts, and local administrative organizations are instructed to inspect communities with fire-prone materials, especially those involving the production and trade of floral decorations. The emphasis is on increasing vigilance in production processes to minimize potential risks to life and property.

Shame they hadn't acquired those skills when they did Soi 15. 😠

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/02/05/chonburi-authorities-launch-campaign-to-tackle-forest-fires-haze-and-pm2-5/ Chonburi Authorities Launch Campaign to Tackle Forest Fires, Haze, and PM2.5 Following a recent spate of forest fires causing damage to over 200 rais and exceeding PM2.5 standards, Chonburi province has launched a multi-agency campaign to prevent further fires, control haze, and reduce harmful fine particulate matter. According to reports, Chonburi’s diverse landscape, including forests, agricultural land, urban centers, and industrial estates, makes it particularly vulnerable to PM2.5 issues, especially when exacerbated by forest fires. Recognizing this, the campaign outlines collaborative efforts to minimize environmental impact and protect public health by reducing emissions from vehicles and introducing educational demonstrations.

Next door to Cafe Pitini is a ladyboy bar. Would you like to rethink why the walls are vibrating ? 🙂

Same as when I was there in December/early January. And I was coughing along with them. I still reckon the (main) cause is the air pollution.

If anyone wonders about the effects of haze (air pollution), this article is a good explanation IMO: https://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg/health-plus/article/the-effects-of-haze-on-your-health What is the health effect of haze? Haze particles can give rise to acute symptoms such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and a feeling of tiredness and weakness. The effect of haze is aggravated in people with pre-existing heart or lung disorders. However, the harmful health effects of a few minutes of haze exposure are temporary and usually do not lead to long-term health issues. The biggest hazard of the haze is the fine particulate matter (PM) suspended in the air. Particulate matter, especially those of PM2.5 can easily be inhaled into our lungs. This refers to particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. Long-term exposure to the haze and particulate matter can lead to the development of medical conditions such as bronchitis and a higher incidence of lung cancer. Thus it is best to stay indoors during hazy situations when the PSI is at unhealthy levels. If you have to go outdoors for long periods, an N95 mask can help reduce your inhalation of particulate matter. Those at highest risk of being affected by the haze should remain indoors. These are people with pre-existing heart or lung disorders as exposure to air pollution is known to worsen these conditions. Likewise, children and the elderly who have smaller lung reserves should avoid prolonged exposure to the haze. What symptoms can the haze cause? Exposure to the haze can lead to symptoms of bronchitis. These symptoms can be just like symptoms of asthma – wheezing, cough, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. If the symptoms are severe, you should consult a doctor immediately. If symptoms are mild, they may abate or resolve with rest (indoors) and avoidance of the haze. Fine particles are matter foreign to the body (they are like microscopic soot particles). Inhaling the haze is like inhaling smoke – irritation of the sensitive lining within the nose and throat occurs. Symptoms tend to get more serious when the irritation occurs deeper than the nose and throat, especially when the lower air passages (trachea and bronchi) are affected. What should people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses do during the haze period? If your symptoms are mild and you are healthy, simply avoiding the haze by staying indoors with the windows and doors shut, and turning on an effective air purifier should be sufficient. If your symptoms are more serious or you are unsure how badly you are affected, it is best to consult with a physician. It is not advisable to self-medicate or use inhalers that you are not familiar with. For example, Seretide is an asthma medication that contains steroids and a long-acting bronchodilator medication. It is a prescription-only medication that is not without adverse effects and it should not be tried without proper medical advice. Should I exercise outdoors during the haze period? Exercising outdoors when the PSI is in the unhealthy range (ie. 100 or more) is counter-productive. The higher the PSI, the more harmful it is to inhale the polluted air when exercising. Note that when you are exercising, you have to breathe harder and the air exchange that takes place in the lungs is several times more than when you are at rest. Therefore, you are inhaling several times more of the air pollution. Breathing more pollutants into the lungs is in a way negating the beneficial effects of exercise. The most harmful pollutants – the PM2.5 particles can be taken very deep into the lungs and it is difficult for the respiratory system to expel or break down these pollutants. In addition, particles of PM1 are known to bypass the lungs and travel straight into the blood circulation where they can be carried to other organs (such as the brain) with harmful effects. How long can a healthy person tolerate the haze without harm? Every individual is different in size, age and health so it is not possible to say how long a person can tolerate the haze. When the haze level is in the unhealthy range (PSI higher than 100), it is prudent for everyone to avoid outdoor activities. Can the haze do long-term harm to our health? Usually the harmful effects of a few minutes of haze exposure are temporary and do not lead to long-term health issues. However, in studies performed in the US and Europe, there was found to be a definite relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular and lung cancer death. The smaller PM2.5 were particularly deadly, with 36% increase in lung cancer rate for every increase of 10 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre. Clearly then – clean air, just like good health, is invaluable. I think that it's best to avoid air pollution especially when the PSI is very unhealthy. In short, there is no 'safe' level of air pollution. The lower it is, the better for your long-term health.

No. I have homes in both locations, and have chosen (up to now) to spend two-thirds of my time in London. With the pollution situation in Pattaya as it is now, the chances are that I will spend much less time there than hitherto.

I don't agree with you. I was in Patts for 5 weeks recently, and the pollution was evident EVERY day. As far as I can see, the pollution is hitting most of the country, although, as Lemondropkid says, the far southwest seems to be missing the worst of it. Unfortunately, it isn't a "few days or even a week" matter. It is going to last for many months in the year. I imagine most BMs here have the resources not to have to live in a high-crime area in the UK.

Then what is the point of being in Thailand?

Take a look at the pictures of Pattaya posted just on this forum and it's hard not to know about the air pollution, assuming you don't have defective vision.

I empathise with what you say, but consider the air pollution situation before jumping back to Thailand. It could trump all the plus points.

This one seems to have had everything EXCEPT a nose job!

I agree. But I make an exception for prosthetics. 😀

That is the difference. I DO have the ad blocker turned on in Opera.

Air pollution!

I'm sure that should be adequate because many people travel around, and won't know where they are going to stay.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure that you are correct in describing it as previously being a gay karaoke. There always seemed to be "pretty boys" around there, but I think they were intended to be for the benefit of Thai girls who wanted some Thai meat after a day of having to put up with the falang kind.

Another illiterate! Or is he? Perhaps he is saying "up you as well"?

Just a thought! Does whether uBlock works or not get affected by whether you are logged-in to YouTube? YT gives me a problem when I use the Opera browser (which has ad blocking) only if I am logged in to YT. So I log in on Firefox, but watch the videos on Opera.

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has issued an urgent warning regarding the hazardous levels of PM 2.5 particulate matter in the air, impacting 20 provinces across Thailand. The alert calls for immediate action to address and mitigate the severe air quality crisis that poses significant health risks to millions of residents. The provinces on high alert include major urban centers such as Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi, as well as key industrial regions like Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon. In a statement, the PCD has outlined a series of steps that need to be taken to combat the escalating air pollution levels. These measures include stringent control of industrial emissions, enhancement of traffic management to reduce vehicular pollution, and an increase in public awareness campaigns. The agency also highlighted the importance of cooperation from both the public and private sectors in tackling this environmental challenge. The government’s response to this crisis has been swift, with local authorities being mobilized to enforce pollution control measures. Special attention is being given to areas with historically high levels of air pollution, such as Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. The administration is also promoting alternative and cleaner forms of transportation, along with stricter checks on vehicles contributing to air pollution.

And to throw some light on what is happening ........