Earlier, they were accused of causing the haze in the northern provinces of Thailand.

All right, they were not the primary suspects. But there were actual calls from some quarters urging the government to close down the open-air barbecue restaurants that have been sprouting up all over lately. The smoke and mouth-watering odour from grilled pork and beef was said to be partly contributing to the insidious haze.

Now these popular restaurants - and of course their customers - have come out in protest against the closure plan, citing the fact that their smoke makes up only a minuscule portion of the problem.

The city of Chiang Mai then came up with a revolutionary new solution. And who can have any objection to this bold stroke to fight the haze?

The metropolis of Chiang Mai yesterday announced plans to bring forward the annual Songkran festival, during which mobs of revellers roam about splashing tonnes of water to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year.

Chiang Mai governor Boonlert Buranupakorn said the water-throwing festival, normally scheduled for April 13-15, should be hastened forward to the beginning of next month, to fight the dusty pollution plaguing the northern capital.

Boonlert didn't say whether the city would promote the water-splashing celebration at open-air barbecue restaurants to squelch the smoke right at its origin.

Whatever, we hope that the small ocean of water used during the festival will be enough to wash away the dust and clear the air of Chiang Mai.

busdsk@nationgroup.com