Chiang Mai air quality 'worst in the world'

By THE NATION

 

 

Chiang Mai was once again the world's most polluted city, with air quality level at 346, the AirVisual application reported at 9.58am on Friday (March 20).

 

Dust particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter ( PM2.5), measured 295.7 micrograms per cubic metre.

 

The province was followed by Bangladesh capital Dhaka and the Pakistani city of Lahore, with the air quality levels at 214 and 204 respectively.

 

According to the Air Quality Index, a reading between 0 to 50 is healthy, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 301 to 500 is dangerous.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384480

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-20

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Worst again  but no one is listening ...now its all about the WuFlu !  ????

Sad distinction for a grand ole Thai city...

The air is so much better here in Chiang Rai: ‘only’ 301 today at. 13.00h. Was 404 a couple of hours ago.........

You don’t say Sherlock....just wait for the virus To hit all those compromised and suffering from AP related respiratory illnesses....

 

Yet, when all said and done, will gov officially claim only one dead from the virus? Amazing Thailand!

Should make the Governor of CM operate his office outside in the smoky air for a few weeks as punishment.

1 minute ago, legend49 said:

Should make the Governor of CM operate his office outside in the smoky air for a few weeks as punishment.

Chained to a tree in the Forest would be a better idea !

Last week they were number 1 with score around 240 I think. Beat #2 by around 50. This new score is like if I raced against Usain Bolt. Have to check some more trucks, I reckon (kidding)

Don't worry it will clear up in a couple of months.  Then you will be OK until next year.

Same every year

Between chronic air pollution, the virus, Thailand,s roads, and somtam plalah, it looks like very few will get out alive ???? C,mon people, the virus is knocking off 0.0000015% to date, somtam consumption probably significantly higher, air pollution topping that, and Thailand,s roads being the clear winner !

The air was so bad this morning in Chiangmai I could barely see why doesn’t the government start doing something this is ridiculous it’s unhealthy it’s unsafe TIT

 

Link: https://www.iqair.com/world-most-polluted-cities

 

Chart above is the average PM2.5 for the whole of 2019. Korat was the most polluted city in Thailand last year.

 

Historically the pollution in Chiang Mai is usually from mid-Feb to mid-May depending on the arrival of rainfall. CM can hit the top spot during this time.

 

This is a national problem. Today Prayut announced that governors should report daily on WuFlu measures being undertaken in their province. But why hasn't he tasked them with reporting air pollution measures daily too? There should be one person appointed with effective powers as the national air pollution chief with all governors reporting into him. Instead air pollution falls under the control of the army and a wishy washy bangkok committee that has no teeth.

2 hours ago, damascase said:

The air is so much better here in Chiang Rai: ‘only’ 301 today at. 13.00h. Was 404 a couple of hours ago.........

Yes, that's actually good according to Thai standards and a great time to get outside and play football with the kids. ???? The health minister has everything under control. Enjoy...????

25 minutes ago, Antonymous said:

But why hasn't he tasked them with reporting air pollution measures daily too?

????????????

More flouting of existing laws. 

There is your culprit and it sure as 'aint' a VIRUS!!  GREED!!!

it sure is .. i am north of cm  they are burning in the mtns  .. and of course it goes to cm .. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Chiang Mai was once again the world's most polluted city, with air quality level at 346, the AirVisual application reported at 9.58am on Friday (March 20).

The governor must be proud of his achievement.

After February 28 Chiang Mai has been ranked n:o 1 on 13 days of total 22 as the worst polluted city in the World.

3 minutes ago, Sweet Swede said:

After February 28 Chiang Mai has been ranked n:o 1 on 13 days of total 22 as the worst polluted city in the World.

Congratulations all round to the Governor and those all the way to the very top in charge of Thailand.

 

A record unlikely to be surpassed -until next year!

32 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Congratulations all round to the Governor and those all the way to the very top in charge of Thailand.

 

A record unlikely to be surpassed -until next year!

Same people in charge of controlling the pandemic ????

Pollution is here to stay...the question is, are you?

Mmmmmm, crunchy air.

I am sure Lampang is second but why are more people worried about covid19 than lung damage in this area?

50 minutes ago, marquis22 said:

I am sure Lampang is second but why are more people worried about covid19 than lung damage in this area?

Which 'people' do you mean?

 

The Thai Government is very evidently not concerned enough about (most of) the nation's poor air quality to do anything about it. The causes within Thailand are obvious. And there is no will to tackle the issue from a regional perspective either.

 

If by 'people' you mean expats, it seems that many are more concerned with scoring cheap points about those choosing to live in Chiang Mai, than about the larger issue. Some are simply not aware that air pollution affects pretty much the whole of the north and north-east regions of Thailand and extends further south somewhat too.

 

In all of 2019 for example Chiang Mai had an average 32.3 PM2.5 and was rated unhealthy or unhealthy for certain groups in three months. Lampang, which you mention, had an avg 33.1 (worse than Chiang Mai) and bad for five months.

 

Korat, the worst, at 42.2 avg and bad for four months.

 

Khon Kaen 36.4 avg and bad for five months.

 

Sukhothai 34.6 avg and bad for five months.

 

Ratchaburi 29.5 avg and bad for three months.

 

Chonburi 19.5 and bad for two months.

 

We should all rally together to condemn the Thai authorities, not each other.

 

 

6 hours ago, legend49 said:

Should make the Governor of CM operate his office outside in the smoky air for a few weeks as punishment.

No mate Total winners, Worlds worst drivers & polluters, whats Next? is my guess

4 hours ago, rudi49jr said:

Yeah, not even close to the numbers "they" offer/lie to the public.

 

Big improvement late this afternoon when a southerly wind started blowing. I could just see Mae On from the city 30 km's away.

6 hours ago, damascase said:

The air is so much better here in Chiang Rai: ‘only’ 301 today at. 13.00h. Was 404 a couple of hours ago.........

Nope, beat ya today ...500 @ 8am(CM city ranking 1) ,157 @ noon , 105 @ 4pm (CM city ranking 41), 144@ 8pm (CM city ranking 26).

These numbers are from out my backdoor in Mae Rim.

The average daily high/low readings for CM from AirVisual ,over the same time periods ,were 364 to 73.

We expected a spike in the PM2.5 from a massive forest fire in the National Park west of the city that burned for 3-days before they got it under control.

Otherwise,its been the nice afternoon winds that have been moving the air along.