Blaze at Songkhla landfill damages 50 rai, air quality monitored

Residents advised to monitor their health and temporarily relocate if they experience irritation

SONGKHLA — A fire that broke out early Thursday at the Songkhla City municipal landfill damaged about 50 rai (80,000 square metres) of the site before being brought under control, with authorities warning nearby residents to stay alert for potential health effects.

The blaze erupted around 2am at the Songkhla City Municipality landfill, locally known as the Koh Taeo landfill, in tambon Koh Taew of Muang district, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).

By early afternoon, the fire continued to burn intensely, as large volumes of plastic waste fuelled thick black smoke.

The landfill covers about 100 rai, with roughly half affected. Firefighting efforts involved 14 fire engines and water trucks from local administrative bodies and the Royal Thai Navy’s Second Naval Area, with additional heavy equipment and water support to contain the blaze and prevent flare‑ups.

Songkhla municipal mayor Wanchai Parinyasiri said the burning waste was mainly debris from severe flooding late last year, weighing about 200,000 tonnes. They had been transported to the site by provincial authorities.

“The situation is now under control, but officials are continuing to douse the area to prevent the fire from reigniting,” he said.

Officials from the Environment and Pollution Control Office 16 monitored air‑quality at six locations of the southern province. At the fire site, PM2.5 levels reached 1,260 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3) of air, while readings fell to 25 to 345 µg/m3 up to nearly nine kilometres away.

The Thai government safe level for fine dust is 37.5µg/m³.

No chemical vapours or toxic gases were detected, officials said.

However, residents in tambon Koh Taew and nearby areas were advised to avoid smoky zones, wear protective masks, monitor their health and temporarily relocate if they experience eye, nose or throat irritation, especially vulnerable individuals.