Tragic: 70-Year-Old Man Dies After Secretly Burning Rice Stubble

On February 4, Police Lieutenant Karun Chandok from Phlapphla Chai Police Station in Buriram Province received a report from the village head about a villager who died from burns in a rice field. Emergency responders and firefighters arrived to find over 20 rai of burned rice stubble. The victim, Sudjai (last name withheld), aged 70, was found dead at the scene. His 47-year-old nephew, Boonlert, explained that the elderly man lived alone and typically burned rice stubble annually to make plowing easier. The village head, Pairote, revealed he had received provincial orders that morning to campaign against burning to prevent PM 2.5 dust pollution. He expressed deep regret that his warning came too late to prevent this tragedy.