Farmers have begun burning fields to clear their crops despite air pollution warnings from authorities in Thailand.

Villagers flouted local laws and engaged in the toxic slash-and-burn methods to remove the remaining rice stubble on their land in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province on January 4.

The practice caused thick clouds of smoke, contributing to the annual air pollution problem Thailand has been grappling with for years.

Local media reported that the smoke has spread to nearby towns - striking down residents with respiratory illnesses.

Bungling officials in Bangkok have failed to tackle the issue other than floating measures last year to introduce subsidies for farmers who use costlier - but environmentally friendly - methods of clearing crop waste from the land.

Scientists found that smog is at its worst in the country when farmers burn waste crops to cheaply clear their land between late October and April. The agricultural process known as 'slash and burn' is quicker and easier than crop rotation fields and leaves a nutrient-rich layer of ash that helps to fertilise new crops.

However, the side-effect is severe air pollution full of toxic PM2.5 particles that cause respiratory ailments. The pollution has also worsened in recent years due to the rising demand for food from rapidly developing cities in Southeast Asia.

The lack of wind and rain during the same period, combined with a winter low-pressure system in which cold air is trapped closer to the ground by warm air above, prevent the smog from being dispersed naturally by wind.

Data scientist engineer Worasom Kundhikanjana said that the pollution will return next year without draconian policies banning agricultural burning.

She said: 'PM 2.5 pollution has a seasonal trend in Bangkok and the northern provinces, but has only recently received public attention. During this winter haze, the harmful particle pollution level is high throughout the day, including on weekends.

'Unfortunately, spraying water into the air does not appear to be effective, since the volume of water is minuscule compared to actual rain.

'With the start of the monsoon season, the weather in Bangkok will get better, and public attention on this issue will likely fade. However, without immediate policy measures, the problem will come back again next winter.'