Thailand has a serious air pollution problem caused largely by wildfires and the burning of farmland. The government has announced a "no-burning" rule to curb the problem.

The country is currently in the midst of its dry season. The concentration of hazardous PM2.5 particles in the air is high across the nation.

In the capital, Bangkok, the smog level on Friday was more than six times World Health Organization standards.

The authorities are urging people with respiratory diseases to hold off from outdoor activities.

A woman in Bangkok said: "Sometimes I feel unwell from the pollution, especially when I don't wear a face mask. My nose becomes quite irritated."

One of the major causes is believed to be wildfires and farm-burning in the country's north.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered that farm-burning be banned until the end of April. He says violators will face fines.

The government has also ordered eight national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to close to reduce forest fires.

Famers traditionally burn their fields at this time of year after harvesting crops such as sugarcane.

The government has started paying farmers to abandon the practice, but many still do it.