Listen to this articleFlames rise from a paddy field in Pak Phli district of Nakhon Nayok on Tuesday. (Screenshot from a video by Nakhon Nayok public relations office)Authorities in Nakhon Nayok are hunting for the culprits who burned about 10,000 rai (16 square kilometres) of paddy fields, worsening the already serious air pollution in the province north of Bangkok. Nakhon Nayok authorities had banned field burning from Dec 15 to March 31 to reduce smog during the cold season when air circulation is poor. Nakhon Nayok deputy governor Santhiti Thammajai said thick smoke was causing respiratory problems for many residents including young children, senior citizens and patients. Nakhon Nayok was among many provinces blanketed with red levels of ultrafine dust, or PM2.5, on Wednesday morning.
