7th April 2023 – (Chiang Mai) Chiang Mai, the historic city in Thailand’s hilly north, has been grappling with severe air pollution, with recent data ranking it as the world’s most polluted city. Smoke from forest fires and crop stubble burning has blanketed the popular tourist destination, leading to health concerns and a drop in tourist numbers. As authorities struggle to find solutions, Chiang Mai’s provincial governor, Nirat Pongsittitavorn, has issued a statement urging people to stay indoors and work from home to protect themselves from the hazardous air.
The air quality in Chiang Mai has been a cause for concern for some time, with heavy air pollution reported since the beginning of the year. Seasonal agricultural burning, coupled with forest fires, has exacerbated the problem, resulting in nearly two million people needing hospital treatment for respiratory conditions caused by air pollution this year alone, according to the public health ministry.
In a recent ranking by IQAir, Chiang Mai was identified as the most polluted major city in the world, surpassing notorious hotspots like Delhi and Lahore. The levels of PM2.5 particles, which are tiny enough to enter the bloodstream and pose a serious health risk, were found to be more than 66 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s annual guideline.
The impact of the air pollution on Chiang Mai’s tourism industry has been significant. Wittaya Pongsiri, the vice-president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, reported a 20% drop in tourist numbers, as visitors are discouraged by the poor air quality. Chiang Mai, known for its historic centre and laid-back atmosphere, was a popular destination for millions of tourists before the pandemic hit.
Authorities have been taking measures to address the air pollution crisis. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha held video talks with the leaders of neighbouring Myanmar and Laos to discuss the problem, which affects large areas of Southeast Asia every year. The three leaders discussed the need to find ways to curb emissions from agriculture and industry, but concrete steps for action were not agreed upon.
In addition to urging people to work from home, Chiang Mai provincial governor Nirat Pongsittitavorn has also called for increased distribution of masks to residents. However, these measures may only provide temporary relief, as the root causes of the air pollution, such as forest fires and agricultural burning, persist.
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