Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has mobilised helicopters to help put out the forest fires which have been raging areas in Chiang Mai and other northern provinces of Thailand, Channel NewsAsia reported.
“It will be equipped with a 5000L water bucket from the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Let’s support our SAF men and women who are tasked for this mission – that they will do their job well and keep safe,” Dr Ng wrote.
Haze and smokes from forest fires have blanketed most of the northern provinces of Thailand, causing health and air traffic safety hazards.
According to the Bangkok Post, the 3rd Army reported that Singapore had agreed to a request from Prime Minister Prayut-o-cha, and the two Chinook helicopters were deployed to Chiang Mai on Wednesday.