Chiang Mai splutters: But "Curtain of Water" protects tourists as polluted city continues among world's worst

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media reported that Chiang Mai was still in the top ten most polluted places in the world when it comes to 2.5 particulate matter.

 

With a reading of 133 on airvisual.com the northern Thai city was rated 9th worst on the planet.

 

They said it was the third day running of severe pollution right across the province.

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

To combat the pollution and make matters better for tourists and residents the media said that fountains were in operation on all four sides of the moat in the inner city area.

 

These were creating a "curtain" of water vapor to alleviate the problem, they said.

 

Source: 77kaoded

 

 

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Yep, it's pretty bad at the moment.

Sitting at home (12Km from the centre) trying not to cough.

Really - the fountains will alleviate the problem? They really do think the people are stupid.

I dont think a few fountains are gonna work. What they really need is a few buses with air filters on the roof!!

They just need for the entire population of Chiang Mai to spend their day, downwind and close to the fountains

25 minutes ago, Maverell said:

Really - the fountains will alleviate the problem? They really do think the people are stupid.

Because they are

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

These were creating a "curtain" of water vapor to alleviate the problem, they said.

Apps and fountains, is that the best they can come up with,

it's not like a natural disaster that you have no idea is going

to occur,this happens every year at this time.

 

Doing next to nothing in the City is not going to help one jot,

the Soldiers,Police, any volunteers need to get up in the  hills

and forests and PREVENT fires starting,let the villagers up there know

that setting fires is to be no longer tolerated,anyone caught setting

fires is an ARSONIST and should  be given a prison sentence,as they effect

the health and jobs of many  others. once again it's too little, too late. !

regards Worgeordie

I just laughed so hard that I peed my pants.

 

Ignorance in action...........

I chose Chiang Mai as a place to live 32 years ago when it was little more than a big country village with no major highways and little traffic. Todays city is almost unrecognisable in size and content. The transformation has taken place in an unplanned and unregulated rush of a type unknown to most western countries. Massive amounts of construction, the movement of sand, soil and cement in uncontrolled ways, the introduction of highways always under 'improvement' meaning the cars are disturbing dust at all times, and all in a valley surrounded by hills. You cant add a million cars, thousands of houses, hundreds of condo's and shopping venues in 30 years without making a mess, which is of course exactly what we have.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

These were creating a "curtain" of water vapor to alleviate the problem, they said.

Maybe there's some placebo effect, if you really believe in it, you might not cough so much?

Well at least someone is telling fibs about Pak Kret's / Chaeng Wattana's air today. I know it is not Chaing Mai, but I thought it was worth noting the vast differences in readings.

 

31 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Doing next to nothing in the City is not going to help one jot,

the Soldiers,Police, any volunteers need to get up in the  hills

and forests and PREVENT fires starting,let the villagers up there know

that setting fires is to be no longer tolerated,anyone caught setting

fires is an ARSONIST and should  be given a prison sentence,as they effect

the health and jobs of many  others. once again it's too little, too late.

And what - pray tell - is your solution for the air pollution which comes into Thailand from other countries ?

Invasion ? A stern "Don't do that ! "

Most air pollution is invasive from neighboring countries.

There is no simple answer ...

Like Lungstib, I first visited CM in 1987/88 and loved it, I was still in the army and more importantly, single. As an Officer I even scored a 3 year posting in LOS from 1993-96 and spent most of it in army camps around CM, mostly learning northern Thai. I could see the writing on the wall even then, as I tried without success to educate the locals to stop their endless obsession with burning everything and anything. I met and married my wife there, - she was a locksmith and her family business is still located at the far end of Changlor Road, the road shown in the second photo with this story. Mrs was always getting tonsillitis from the air pollution and lived on amoyycillin. Our daughter was born in CM and we built a palace in Saraphi, but when as a non-smoker I was diagnosed with throat cancer I said "enough is enough" and we sold up and moved to Oz. Wifey has never had a sore throat since and after extensive treatment I too have recovered - it is our daughter's tenth birthday today. Seeing this story of filthy CM today only confirms our (I mean the wife's really) decision never to return there. It was a lovely place once (so was LOS really) but now it isn't. Sadly.

42 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

I chose Chiang Mai as a place to live 32 years ago when it was little more than a big country village with no major highways and little traffic. Todays city is almost unrecognisable in size and content. The transformation has taken place in an unplanned and unregulated rush of a type unknown to most western countries. Massive amounts of construction, the movement of sand, soil and cement in uncontrolled ways, the introduction of highways always under 'improvement' meaning the cars are disturbing dust at all times, and all in a valley surrounded by hills. You cant add a million cars, thousands of houses, hundreds of condo's and shopping venues in 30 years without making a mess, which is of course exactly what we have.

How right you are. Chiang Mai used to be seen as the getaway for people who could not stand Bangkok. By comparison now Krung Thep is a bloomin' oasis.

 

Rooster

42 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

And what - pray tell - is your solution for the air pollution which comes into Thailand from other countries ?

I think you will find the problem is on this side of the border too.

https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2019/05/smog-hobbles-health-and-north-thailand-tourism/?fbclid=IwAR1AcYVOykWKSmfoBJQ_NC6PVJ24_dogvbdK8UHA8fvCduDtVD2cFMqCGDg

Like I have said before - people don't want to go on their annual vacation and have to wear a face mask because the air is so bad - why would they

 

Thailands answer - yes our air is severely unhealthy - No problem, just wear a face mask and everything ok, you can keep coming to our world leading luxury holiday destination and spend loads of your money even though you can't leave your room without protection - happy happy no problem 

1 hour ago, Lungstib said:

I chose Chiang Mai as a place to live 32 years ago when it was little more than a big country village with no major highways and little traffic. Todays city is almost unrecognisable in size and content. The transformation has taken place in an unplanned and unregulated rush of a type unknown to most western countries. Massive amounts of construction, the movement of sand, soil and cement in uncontrolled ways, the introduction of highways always under 'improvement' meaning the cars are disturbing dust at all times, and all in a valley surrounded by hills. You cant add a million cars, thousands of houses, hundreds of condo's and shopping venues in 30 years without making a mess, which is of course exactly what we have.

you touched on something that not many mention - roads constructed with concrete, if it is done on the cheap without proper mix and sealant it will become a huge source of dust particles into the air - I would argue that this is a major source of air pollution in Thailand - as usual everything here is done on the cheap

 

I remember years ago living right next to a concrete road that had moderate traffic - the thick dust that settled on surfaces in my condo was shocking  

19 minutes ago, smedly said:

I would argue that this is a major source of air pollution in Thailand - as usual everything here is done on the cheap

True, but the budget allocated is big! Where does it all go? 55555555555555

2 hours ago, Tracyb said:

I just laughed so hard that I peed my pants.

 

Ignorance in action...........

Better get ot and buy some Depends.   

The pollution is really really bad today.  This morning on the way to Lanna Hosp. , usually you can see at least an outline of the Mountain and Doi Sutep.  This morning you couldn't even see the outline of the mountain !

2 hours ago, canthai55 said:

And what - pray tell - is your solution for the air pollution which comes into Thailand from other countries ?

Invasion ? A stern "Don't do that ! "

Most air pollution is invasive from neighboring countries.

There is no simple answer ...

So just do nothing....which is actually what's happening now,buy more leaf blowers and blow it back ????

regards worgeordie

3 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

So just do nothing....which is actually what's happening now,buy more leaf blowers and blow it back ????

regards worgeordie

 

This is what happens fellas when you put cheap agricultural clearing via burning above the  health and safety of your people and above tourism and general decency.  Reap the whirlwind! 

3 hours ago, Tracyb said:

I just laughed so hard that I peed my pants.

 

Ignorance in action...........

Put them on your head Tracy , could make a good mask and could start a trend.

3 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Apps and fountains, is that the best they can come up with,

it's not like a natural disaster that you have no idea is going

to occur,this happens every year at this time.

 

Doing next to nothing in the City is not going to help one jot,

the Soldiers,Police, any volunteers need to get up in the  hills

and forests and PREVENT fires starting,let the villagers up there know

that setting fires is to be no longer tolerated,anyone caught setting

fires is an ARSONIST and should  be given a prison sentence,as they effect

the health and jobs of many  others. once again it's too little, too late. !

regards Worgeordie

Unfortunately, they are too lazy, and the government needs farmer’s votes

After urinating on self, during a safe intermission, take the Depends diapers Gonzo suggested you use, and hang them in front of a fan. You'll need to sit the fan in some kind of tray to catch excess run-off.

 

Do not urinate directly into the running fan unless it is steam-powered, or foot-pedal operated !

 

@TooFarNorth Do you have any evidence a urine-soaked diaper worn on the head filers 2.5 micron particles ?

 

~o:37;

2 hours ago, smedly said:

Like I have said before - people don't want to go on their annual vacation and have to wear a face mask because the air is so bad - why would they

Actually, most first time travellers do not care about it at all, they often do not even know how bad it is. Hanoi is the perfect example for that.
Neither do the Chinese and Indians care as they are used to it back home... Little stimulus to make a effective change.

 

The tourism crisis does not relate to the air pollution, it might relate to retirees and expats or locals but that would be it. 
The high exchange rate and negative events in Thailand do ruin tourism, as well over priced shops and services.

Also funny somehow that the air quality has been bad for a decade during this time,
nobody cared but since everyone got the Greta Syndrome, masks are mandatory and people scream to think they will die.

Not wanting to steal Chiang Mai's thunder but I have just checked my AirVisual app on my phone and the reading for Tara Pattana International school ( Pattaya) which is only 500 meters or so from my village is currently 138, strangely, the stand alone machine sitting in my lounge is only reading 33, we are in the middle of the village and away from the road, I have a feeling that the school sensor maybe close to the road which is very busy and there also some Thai food stalls not far away so plenty of pollutants in the area.

2 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

Not wanting to steal Chiang Mai's thunder but I have just checked my AirVisual app on my phone and the reading for Tara Pattana International school ( Pattaya) which is only 500 meters or so from my village is currently 138, strangely, the stand alone machine sitting in my lounge is only reading 33, we are in the middle of the village and away from the road, I have a feeling that the school sensor maybe close to the road which is very busy and there also some Thai food stalls not far away so plenty of pollutants in the area.

Try baking a egg or do anything near the sensor, you will soon see 300+ levels.
You have to look at multiple sensors, as well look at the actual PM levels, not air quality alone. Inside VS Outside (with AC) makes a huge difference already.

3 hours ago, Lungstib said:

I chose Chiang Mai as a place to live 32 years ago when it was little more than a big country village with no major highways and little traffic. Todays city is almost unrecognisable in size and content. The transformation has taken place in an unplanned and unregulated rush of a type unknown to most western countries. Massive amounts of construction, the movement of sand, soil and cement in uncontrolled ways, the introduction of highways always under 'improvement' meaning the cars are disturbing dust at all times, and all in a valley surrounded by hills. You cant add a million cars, thousands of houses, hundreds of condo's and shopping venues in 30 years without making a mess, which is of course exactly what we have.

None of this has anything to do with the air pollution, In Chiang Mai it's mainly mushroom hunters burning the forests in preparation for the Monsoon, plus a bit of hill tribe farmers doing slash and burn. Not much in the way of sugar cane burning up here.

 

Why is it so much worse now? because the Chinese want the mushrooms and will pay top dollar for them.

The more money the Chinese will pay for the wild mushrooms, the more of the surrounding forests the local village idiots will burn.

3 hours ago, canthai55 said:

And what - pray tell - is your solution for the air pollution which comes into Thailand from other countries ?

Invasion ? A stern "Don't do that ! "

Most air pollution is invasive from neighboring countries.

There is no simple answer ...

Oh dear, there's always someone who falls for the propaganda and fake news.

Having just returned from Samoeng I can tell you the forest was on fire there with thick smoke as a result. This is Thailand's problem first and foremost.