Chiang Mai’s haze crisis: Health and tourism at risk

[webfact]

PHOTO: Ma Limone Facebook Page

 

by Mitch Connor

The ongoing severe haze pollution in Chiang Mai has not only increased health risks for the inhabitants but has also negatively impacted its tourism industry. Affected parties are urging the government to implement long-term measures to address the issue, including the passage of a ‘clean air’ bill currently awaiting deliberation in parliament.

 

The PM2.5 pollution affecting the upper northern provinces of Thailand, including Chiang Mai, has led to residents hoping that the government formed after the May 14 general election will address the problem, primarily caused by slash-and-burn farming and man-made forest fires.

A report from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) detailed that between January and April, Myanmar recorded the highest number of hotspots in the region with 275,000, followed by Laos with 220,000, Thailand with 154,000, and Cambodia with 100,700. Chiang Mai recorded the highest number in the upper North with 12,000 hotspots during this four-month period, resulting in over 150,000 rai of land being destroyed by fire.

 

Dr. Rangsarit Kanchanawanich, a cardiologist at Chiang Mai University’s faculty of medicine, warns that Chiang Mai residents face an increased risk of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation, leading to lung cancer. In addition, they also face higher risks of heart diseases and strokes, potentially shortening their lifespan by 4-5 years. “We want the government to show the political will to save millions of lives,” Dr. Rangsarit said.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/air-pollution/chiang-mai-experiences-a-resurgence-of-haze-issues

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-24

 

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[BritManToo]

They just need to stop the locals burning the forest!

[Sweet Swede]

It is not just in Thailand the extreme air air pollution has been big news. In Sweden many big newspapers have reported on it with scary smog pictures and also exposing the current and future health implications. Other expats I know say news in their countries have reported on it. Not good publicity for the Thai tourism industry. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The ongoing severe haze pollution in Chiang Mai has not only increased health risks for the inhabitants but has also negatively impacted its tourism industry. Affected parties are urging the government to implement long-term measures to address the issue, including the passage of a ‘clean air’ bill currently awaiting deliberation in parliament.

A mass public protest outside the governors office is long overdue.

[kwilco]

On 4/24/2023 at 6:37 AM, BritManToo said:

They just need to stop the locals burning the forest!

Actually, that's misleading the main biomass burning is from crops like rice and sugar cane. THe burning is actively encouraged by the giant ago-businesses that dominate the production of these commodities in the North (and Central) Thailand - as production has increased, so has burning.

Forest fires are a problem and always have been so they don't account for the increase in pollution.

THe Forest fires are man-made as they clear undergrowth for harvesting mushrooms and "pay wan".

Also traditionally smallholders and households traditionally use the dry season to burn all their rubbish etc.

 

THe reason they blame forest fires is to detract attention from agro-business and it is they who have great influence with the government to slow down any legislation or enforcement that might interfere with their profits.

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

anyone up there in CM with boots on the ground seeing it lessen up?  end of season?  any rain yet?.....

Was out near HuayJo lake yesterday, plenty of fresh jungle had been on fire. Despite that afternoon winds have reduced the smog, but its back in the morning after a night of fires. 

[Thailand]

Strong winds yesterday blew the smog around but no rain which is what is needed to see the end of it for this year, or maybe at least until December.

[TheAppletons]

it is significantly better today than, say, two weeks ago.  Verging on "yellow" metrics using the various AQI measurement websites.

[sqwakvfr]

Came back from BKK yesterday and the skies around CNX still looked like the Haze was hovering over the city.  BKK had rain for two days the air was a little better. 

[roo860]

10 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

anyone up there in CM with boots on the ground seeing it lessen up?  end of season?  any rain yet?.....

Yes, it's getting better, Doi Suthep is visible, I'm at the Phucom Intersection. 

[kwilco]

11 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

anyone up there in CM with boots on the ground seeing it lessen up?  end of season?  any rain yet?.....

Be aware that visibility is not a reliable factor - Visibility - At high concentrations, PM2.5 these particles become visible to the naked eye as ‘haze’, but they are harmful to us long before we can see evidence of air pollution in the sky.

[puck2]

Last Saturday we returned from the smoke-free beach South of Hua Hin.

 

We have been lucky. In the night before going home, there was some rain in our Pang Mapha vally. In the following night we woke up by the rain falling on the roof of our house. Since this time, the haze has nearly disappeared. At least we can see the montain in background without the white smoke around. And that is our haze  measurement by our eyes and noses.

 

Today we don't see and smell any pollution, a wind has clered the air.

 

Concerning the weather forecast, yesterday we should have had some water from the heaven. Not! Now we look forward and hope that some rain will reduce the very, very hot air (much more than 30°) ... on Monday and Tuesday.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, puck2 said:

Last Saturday we returned from the smoke-free beach South of Hua Hin.

 

We have been lucky. In the night before going home, there was some rain in our Pang Mapha vally. In the following night we woke up by the rain falling on the roof of our house. Since this time, the haze has nearly disappeared. At least we can see the montain in background without the white smoke around. And that is our haze  measurement by our eyes and noses.

 

Today we don't see and smell any pollution, a wind has clered the air.

 

Concerning the weather forecast, yesterday we should have had some water from the heaven. Not! Now we look forward and hope that some rain will reduce the very, very hot air (much more than 30°) ... on Monday and Tuesday.

Interesting that the haze is still s far South as Hua Hin.

I was surprised last month to see evidence of the haze in Prachuap.

A lot of people see beautiful sunsets and fail to realise that they too are a result of the haze.

as for "white smoke" - that may just be normal clouds?