Warning to holidaymakers as haze smothers Phuket
Holidaymakers to Thailand have been warned that a thick haze blanketing Phuket poses a health risk.
The smog has also disrupted some flights, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The UK Foreign Office said visitors should check with their airline if travelling through the region.
Anyone with respiratory problems has been urged to wear masks and local officials have advised people to stay indoors and not to take part in outdoor activities.
The haze, which has been caused by farmers lighting fires to clear agricultural land in Indonesia, has prompted hosptials to issue free face masks.
The average air pollution on Phuket over the last 24 hours has reached 136 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 16mg above the public safety limit.
A spokesman for the TAT in the UK said: ‘It is unusual for Phuket to be affected by these fires. Every year Thailand does experience a similar haze but normally much further south.
"Some flights have been delayed and tourists have been advised to take care, particularly those with children although that are very few UK families visiting Thailand at this time of year.
"We regret any disruption to UK tourist holidays but obviously this is out of our control. We hope, weather permitting the haze will clear in the next couple of days."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements