Peatland Fire Spreads Into Second Day In Nakhon Si Thammarat
A peatland fire in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Thao Noi Wildlife Sanctuary entered its second day, spreading rapidly toward a school and affecting over 3,000 residents with thick smoke across five villages.
The fire at Kuan Kren peatland in the Thao Noi Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning villages 1, 6, 8, 9, and 11 in Kren subdistrict, Chao Aud district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, is now in its second day of continuous burning. Sparked by intermittent rain, strong winds, and intense heat, the blaze is spreading rapidly through dry grass and peat forest, driven by powerful winds. The fire has advanced to within 150 meters of Chao Aud Kren Thammawitthaya School, prompting officials to spray water to prevent it from reaching the buildings. Over 3,000 residents across five villages are suffering from thick smoke inundation, particularly affecting the elderly and those living downwind.
Thammanooun Kongjun, headman of Kren subdistrict administration, has declared an emergency situation and activated rescue services. The subdistrict and Kuan Ching Health Promotion Hospital are operating 24-hour hotlines for residents experiencing smoke inhalation, respiratory distress, or urgent medical needs: 087-264-6120 (subdistrict headman) and 096-314-5766 (hospital director). Authorities advise residents to avoid the fire area, wear protective masks if in heavy smoke, and recommend that vulnerable groups—the elderly, young children, bedridden patients, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma—shelter indoors or evacuate to safe areas prepared by the subdistrict.
