Covid-19 has improved the air quality in Chiang Mai

[Bassosa]

Yes, forest fires make the air in Chiang Mai unbreathable most times, but the lack of road traffic has had a huge effect on air quality where I live (Nimman).

 

In the evenings, we no longer have the suffocating stench in the air from the songthaews and tuktuks stinking op the air with their black/blue smoke.

It is so noticeable. I think, once the rains come we're going to be enjoying some really clean air. 

 

Anyone else noticed?

 

[connda]

No I haven't.  What I have noticed is PM 2.5 in excess of 250+ and the same abysmal air quality we have each year.  The new mantra that folks are suppose to repeat is: "Look, the Earth is renewing itself because people are locked away."  Where do you think that leads?  Really?  Especially when it's over hyped and not necessarily true.  Open your eyes people and what do you really see; not what do others tell you you should be seeing and magically you do.    
The air quality is still horrid, but there are occasional breaks and clarity due to shifting weather patterns.  That's about all.  

See below.  Significantly fewer fires then there has been recently.  But burning does tend to let up around Songkran, even this Songkran is my guess.  So, it's probably clearing because the locals are going to hunker down for the holidays and stop the arson for awhile.  

Edited April 9, 2020 by connda

[donnacha]

5 hours ago, Bassosa said:

the lack of road traffic has had a huge effect on air quality where I live (Nimman).

I never understood why people were so eager to live around Nimman. The traffic, the noise, the crowds of Chinese tourists spitting everywhere, the exhaust fumes, the high prices. Chiang Mai has so many nice areas, some just minutes away from Nimman if feel you need to attend events there or whatever, but why actually live in the middle of all that?

 

 

[akampa]

 Dont forget most airlines have stopped flying which also helps with BETTER air quality of course does not apply to Chiang Mai as the air is really terrible and we cannot  take advantage of this lull in traffic movement, if you have young children as I do they are having a hard time, playing outside is a no no.

Edited April 10, 2020 by akampa

[Bassosa]

10 hours ago, connda said:

No I haven't.  What I have noticed is PM 2.5 in excess of 250+ and the same abysmal air quality we have each year.  The new mantra that folks are suppose to repeat is: "Look, the Earth is renewing itself because people are locked away."  Where do you think that leads?  Really?  Especially when it's over hyped and not necessarily true.  Open your eyes people and what do you really see; not what do others tell you you should be seeing and magically you do.    
The air quality is still horrid, but there are occasional breaks and clarity due to shifting weather patterns.  That's about all.  

See below.  Significantly fewer fires then there has been recently.  But burning does tend to let up around Songkran, even this Songkran is my guess.  So, it's probably clearing because the locals are going to hunker down for the holidays and stop the arson for awhile.  

What I was trying to point is that inner-city we have year round problems with air quality because of heavy traffic, particularly in the evenings. With less traffic that aspect of Chiang Mai's air pollution problem has improved significantly.

 

Nothing to do with forest fires.

 

[Bassosa]

10 hours ago, donnacha said:

I never understood why people were so eager to live around Nimman. The traffic, the noise, the crowds of Chinese tourists spitting everywhere, the exhaust fumes, the high prices. Chiang Mai has so many nice areas, some just minutes away from Nimman if feel you need to attend events there or whatever, but why actually live in the middle of all that?

 

 

Well for me personally I don't really have a choice but I will say one thing in Nimman's defence: you can pretty much walk everywhere and be complete control of your life. We now even have a Makro within walking distance, and in a normal situation hundreds of restaurants, even cheap Thai streetfood.

The ability to walk everywhere is a big positive for me because I don't ride a motorbike and hate taking the car everywhere and end up being stuck in traffic.