NEWS BITES

NO RESPITE FROM SMOG

POLLUTION: Bangkok and nearby provinces remained blanketed in smog, with PM2.5 dust exceeding safe levels at 37 air-quality monitoring stations yesterday morning.

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) said the levels of hazardous particles in the air in Greater Bangkok ranged between 39 and 79 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m³) in the morning, with the results in the 37 areas exceeding the safe standard of 50μg/m³.

Unhealthy levels of smog worsened yesterday in most areas of the capital from Friday, when the levels were 28-55μg/m³, with fine dust exceeding safe levels at 10 monitoring stations.

Residents have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and monitor air-quality announcements.

8 HURT IN TOUR BUS CRASH

NAN: Eight people were hurt, one seriously, when a tour bus carrying cyclists to Nan skidded into a mountain slope in Muang district yesterday.

The accident occurred on the Nan-Ban Luang-Bang Song Khaew Road in tambon Sanian late yesterday morning, said Charasphan Arunwong, head of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office.

Driver Yutthapong Yangklang, 32, was badly hurt. Seven passengers sustained minor injuries.

A police investigation found the tour bus, carrying 32 cyclists from Samut Prakan to Doi Phukha in Pua district, was using GPS to navigate.

However, the system guided the bus to Ban Luang district. Amid the confusion, the driver turned around suddenly then swerved to try to stop the bus when its brakes failed.

Police have advised visitors wanting to travel to Nan to ask for directions from residents.