Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08CHIANGMAI50, HAZARDOUS AIR QUALITY ON THE RISE IN NORTHERN THAILAND

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08CHIANGMAI50.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08CHIANGMAI50 2008-03-28 00:40 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Consulate Chiang Mai
VZCZCXRO6808
PP RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
DE RUEHCHI #0050/01 0880040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280040Z MAR 08
FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0715
INFO RUEAEPA/EPA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 0771
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHIANG MAI 000050 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EAP/EX 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV EAGR AMED TH BM
SUBJECT: HAZARDOUS AIR QUALITY ON THE RISE IN NORTHERN THAILAND 
 
REF: A. A. 2007 CHIANG MAI 41 
 
     B. B. 2007 CHIANG MAI 51 
 
CHIANG MAI 00000050  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1. With poor air quality levels surpassing the safety threshold, 
Chiang Mai and the northern provinces of Thailand are facing 
another hazy March.  Small dust particle (PM10) measurements 
have peaked at hazardous levels sparking a concerned response 
from the Royal household.  Post staff and families have felt the 
impact of the poor air quality in a wave of respiratory 
illnesses.  While a cloud of haze blankets the city, however, 
public warnings of potential dangers remain low.  At present, 
poor air quality continues to rise and will likely worsen before 
it improves with the coming of the rainy season expected in 
early May.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------------- 
PM10 Climbs to Hazardous Levels 
------------------------------- 
 
2. March is known in Chiang Mai for rising temperatures and 
declining air quality (refs A and B).  This March is no 
different, with hazardous air quality levels on the rise, a 
result primarily of slash-and-burn farming techniques still 
practiced in northern Thailand and Burma.  The air quality is 
measured by the level of dust particles smaller than 10 microns 
in the air, termed PM10.  When the level of PM10 in the air is 
below 120 micrograms per cubic meter, the Pollution Control 
Department of Thailand deems the level of dust "safe." 
 
3. So far this year, PM10 levels peaked twice, first from March 
6 to 7 and again on March 24.  During the first peak in early 
March, the three air quality monitoring stations located in 
Chiang Mai reported levels as high as 141, 138, and 144 
micrograms per cubic meter.  On March 24, the levels climbed to 
154, 170 and 206 micrograms per cubic meter.  These published 
PM10 levels are daily averages of hourly measurements.  Certain 
times in the day, especially dusk, face higher PM10 levels; but 
these peaks are lost in the averaging system.  The three 
monitoring sites in Chiang Mai are located at the Provincial 
Hall, the Yupparat School, and the Royal Family's Phuping Palace 
atop Doi Suthep mountain at the city's edge. 
 
------------------------ 
A Royal Pain in the Neck 
------------------------ 
 
4. The Phuping Palace monitoring station, set up in February 
because of concerns of forest fires erupting dangerously close 
to the palace grounds, suggests high-level RTG awareness of the 
air quality crisis.  Phuping Palace is the Royal family's summer 
home in Chiang Mai, and is located atop Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's 
landmark mountain which sits barely visible behind the thick 
cloud of haze blanketing the city.  This March's PM10 levels 
have caught the attention of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has 
requested daily reports on the haze situation in the north.  In 
remarks that made front-page news March 26, the King told the 
press that if the situation did not improve, he would order 
artificial rainmaking to relieve the air pollution. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Consulate Staff Under the Weather 
--------------------------------- 
 
5. Post staff has already felt the impact of declining air 
quality in the city.  Both American and Thai staff and family 
members have reported becoming sick with respiratory ailments 
and eye irritation.  At least 10 members of the Consulate 
community have visited post's nurse with respiratory problems 
since March 7.  Symptoms have included severe coughing, sinus 
and respiratory infections, allergy attacks, and eye irritation. 
 According to the Pollution Control Department, PM10 is among 
the most harmful air pollutants, causing many kinds of 
respiratory illnesses due to dust particles that get lodged deep 
in the lungs. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
6. Because official PM10 levels are reported as averages, 
variation of air quality levels throughout any given day are 
lost, and daily levels can appear artificially low.  Moreover, 
the paucity of public warnings of hazardous air quality, 
combined with falsely reassuring announcements from the 
provincial government that air conditions are still far from 
hazardous, leave much of the public unconcerned of the dangers 
 
CHIANG MAI 00000050  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
of breathing the air outside.  Meanwhile, PM10 levels continue 
to rise; and air quality could likely worsen before it improves 
with the coming of the rainy season expected in early May. 
MORROW