Relocating to Chiang Mai, worried about burning season

[DonniePeverley]

This has to be a deal breaker for many. If i relocate my family, with school, you can't just change cities during a school term and get out of there during burning season.

 

Can someone tell me how bad this actually is? Those with experience on the ground. 

 

Thoughts?

[Dante99]

17 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Can someone tell me how bad this actually is?

Some think it is bad others think not.  What is your standard for measuring badness?

[BritManToo]

Hardly noticed it this year.

[thesetat]

If you do not care to put wet towels on your windows and doors and stay inside. You will be quite happy. 

If you. have such concerns then why are you even considering moving there? You know already how bad it can get simply because a lot of it ends up covering the rest of Thailand. 

 

As for changing schools mid-term. There is nothing to stop you from doing that. So, i do not see why this is an issue unless the student is in a University. 

[peterrabbit]

Its well overblown by the press, unless you have a medical condition its not a major problem. 

I have experied far worse in Chonburi because its industrial smog which is far worst.

Its no different than say monsoon rain, you stay indoors for a few days while its bad.

Any decent private school has plans and equipment in place to handle it.

Just be prepared by buying some good air purifiers in advance, (while they have stock). 

This make is considered the best:-

https://www.lazada.co.th/shop/xiaomi-official-store-th

[DonniePeverley]

The worlds most polluted city does strike fear into you though.

 

Do school not give this period any time off? Instead of during the summer?

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

The worlds most polluted city does strike fear into you though.

 

 

 

[davb]

This year I was miserable in Bangkok from the air pollution, but my wife was mostly ok.

I think it depends on if you have any existing breathing problems like asthma or a history of bronchitis.

Of course, there's the argument that the polluted air causes long-term problems. I'm not sure how to evaluate that.

[Lacessit]

I have an air quality monitor. When it gets above 100, I crank up the air purifiers.

 

In Chiang Rai, the period of poor air quality seems to be less because we are getting unseasonal rain.

[DonniePeverley]

11 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 

 

I should stress it tops the list for a month or two. 

[Nick Carter icp]

10 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

I should stress it tops the list for a month or two. 

 

  Its usually just a day or two 

[DonniePeverley]

9 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Its usually just a day or two 

 

Why the defensive responses? 

 

I kept an eye on it last year as i was thinking of renting there, and it was up there as one of the most polluted cities for a few months. 

[Nick Carter icp]

29 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

Why the defensive responses? 

 

I kept an eye on it last year as i was thinking of renting there, and it was up there as one of the most polluted cities for a few months. 

 

   Last year was very mild , it was just a few days  when it was even noticeable 

[SAFETY FIRST]

23 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Thoughts

Don't eat the fish, Burma has contaminated the rivers 

[1FinickyOne]

For me, it is very rarely even noticeable... I have been with other friends on a clear day, mountains all in sight and they are crying about how bad the air quality is?? So, I will guess the answer is that it will be disturbing to the point of how sensitive you are personally... 

[1FinickyOne]

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

I should stress it tops the list for a month or two. 

If you feel a need to stress that, it sounds obvious that you will not want to stay here. I might point out that when it is bad here, it is often bad in many places in Thailand.,,, 

[simon43]

I do have weak lungs, so I found living in CM unbearable - the smoky air resulted in acute bronchitis, but that's just me...

 

What I would be concerned about is the effect on the young lungs of your children. Do you really want to expose them to a high level of air pollution?  I can't think of anything positive about that.....

[RayOday]

I tracked a few locations daily throughout the 2025 "burning season": Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla/Hat Yai. The summary is that Thailand air quality sucks for +2.5 months per year. Hua Hin is marginally better than CM yet still horrible. Songkhla/Hat Yai and a few locations in Nakhon Si Thammarat are acceptable yet not healthy (Yellow on the IQair AQI rankings). Nan is off the charts and worse than Chiang Mai. I drove to Nan after the smog hit CM and visibility was poor.I immediately left and headed to BKK for a week and it was as bad as CM. Then I left for HH and the air quality was poor for almost 2.5 weeks and became acceptable yet not good. I am uncertain what can be done with respect to Myanmar and Laos but the Thai government is failing it's populace once again as fires in Thailand continue to deter tourists and compromise the health of it's citizens.

Extract from the OECD

Thailand's environmental and health performance according to OECD metrics shows a mixed picture, with significant challenges in air quality and some improvements in other areas.

-Air Quality and Pollution
Thailand faces serious air pollution challenges, particularly in Bangkok and northern regions. PM2.5 concentrations frequently exceed WHO guidelines, with annual averages often 2-3 times higher than recommended levels. The country ranks among the more polluted nations in OECD assessments, with air quality being a major public health concern.

-Health Outcomes Related to Environment
Environmental factors contribute substantially to Thailand's disease burden. Air pollution is linked to increased rates of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature deaths. The OECD estimates that environmental risk factors account for a significant portion of the country's health expenditure.

-Policy Response
Thailand has implemented various environmental policies, including emission standards for vehicles and industrial facilities, though enforcement remains inconsistent. The country has made commitments under international agreements but faces challenges in balancing economic development with environmental protection.

-Comparative Performance
Compared to OECD averages, Thailand generally performs below standards for air quality and environmental health indicators, though it has shown improvement in some waste management and water access metrics over time. 

 

The recent video of Prawit falling down the steps is a metaphor for this bumbling government failing it's people.

 

 

[black tabby12345]

I have been in Chiang Mai old city area for nearly 2 decades.

Still have no respiratory sickness.

If you worry about it, advisable to take at least one cup of soybean paste soup.

Soybean paste is known to lower lung cancer risk.

 

 

[Presnock]

On 5/22/2025 at 5:42 AM, DonniePeverley said:

This has to be a deal breaker for many. If i relocate my family, with school, you can't just change cities during a school term and get out of there during burning season.

 

Can someone tell me how bad this actually is? Those with experience on the ground. 

 

Thoughts?

I moved to Chiang Mai 12 years ago and we love it and plan to stay forever.  Though right now daughter in University in Bangkok - the pollution in Bangkok may not be quite as high during forest fire days in CM but I have my own 2.5micron meter and check every day and Bangkok too has a lot of polluted days.  Anyway, we bought a new house in CM 11 years ago, and will return there next month or so as our daughter has been accept as an exchange student between universities (Seoul) and will be going to korea for her junior year in August.  We installed air purifiers in all the rooms of our house (same here in Bangkok) and wear a mask when we venture outside.  We have had no health problems, I walked 6-10 kms daily in CM in our neighborhood.  We talk about maybe going elsewhere on vacation during the burning season if it gets too bad but understand about schools too.  Our daughter went to CM intenational school and all their rooms had air purifiers  so they are aware too of the pollution problem.  While we wear masks there when the pollution is bad, many people, especially foreigners, seldom seem to wear them as well as some locals living there.   Whatever you decide to do I hope you have great luck as like I said, we still love the CM area.

[Presnock]

11 minutes ago, RayOday said:

I tracked a few locations daily throughout the 2025 "burning season": Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla/Hat Yai. The summary is that Thailand air quality sucks for +2.5 months per year. Hua Hin is marginally better than CM yet still horrible. Songkhla/Hat Yai and a few locations in Nakhon Si Thammarat are acceptable yet not healthy (Yellow on the IQair AQI rankings). Nan is off the charts and worse than Chiang Mai. I drove to Nan after the smog hit CM and visibility was poor.I immediately left and headed to BKK for a week and it was as bad as CM. Then I left for HH and the air quality was poor for almost 2.5 weeks and became acceptable yet not good. I am uncertain what can be done with respect to Myanmar and Laos but the Thai government is failing it's populace once again as fires in Thailand continue to deter tourists and compromise the health of it's citizens.

Extract from the OECD

Thailand's environmental and health performance according to OECD metrics shows a mixed picture, with significant challenges in air quality and some improvements in other areas.

-Air Quality and Pollution
Thailand faces serious air pollution challenges, particularly in Bangkok and northern regions. PM2.5 concentrations frequently exceed WHO guidelines, with annual averages often 2-3 times higher than recommended levels. The country ranks among the more polluted nations in OECD assessments, with air quality being a major public health concern.

-Health Outcomes Related to Environment
Environmental factors contribute substantially to Thailand's disease burden. Air pollution is linked to increased rates of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature deaths. The OECD estimates that environmental risk factors account for a significant portion of the country's health expenditure.

-Policy Response
Thailand has implemented various environmental policies, including emission standards for vehicles and industrial facilities, though enforcement remains inconsistent. The country has made commitments under international agreements but faces challenges in balancing economic development with environmental protection.

-Comparative Performance
Compared to OECD averages, Thailand generally performs below standards for air quality and environmental health indicators, though it has shown improvement in some waste management and water access metrics over time. 

 

The recent video of Prawit falling down the steps is a metaphor for this bumbling government failing it's people.

 

 

The overall biggest problem with the pollution problem is that it covers all of south Asia including China, Laos, VN, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Indonesia,  and unless they can get all the countries to stop burning of waste, forest fires to clear area for farming of crops that need burning too, then the pollution problem will continue for Thailand, no matter what they do unless the other countries stop too!  If one looks at the NASA satellite imaging of S. Asia it is mostly RED with open fires!

[brewsterbudgen]

It can be horrible in most areas, although Chiang Mai and the north does seem to be affected very badly.

 

Just one important concern to factor in when deciding to live here, along with road accidents.

[RayOday]

7 minutes ago, Presnock said:

The overall biggest problem with the pollution problem is that it covers all of south Asia including China, Laos, VN, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Indonesia,  and unless they can get all the countries to stop burning of waste, forest fires to clear area for farming of crops that need burning too, then the pollution problem will continue for Thailand, no matter what they do unless the other countries stop too!  If one looks at the NASA satellite imaging of S. Asia it is mostly RED with open fires!

True, I track locations in Yunnan as well as I lived there for a while. Marginally better. 

Anyone who has visited Singapore has experienced Indonesia's burning pollution affecting it's neighbor. Other countries are bad yet leadership begins at home. Thailand can do much more. I have spent ~2 months in different Thai locations over the past 2 years. Thailand has much work to do. I did see fire inspectors at a cafe in a remote Nan location with fires burning all around. ? In this case accountability is not there. All along the management chain the mission appears to be failing. Much like road enforcement reducing the perennial road deaths per Capita. But then again I am imposing my view of "a better" condition of life for those whose culture I don't understand. Yup.

[Presnock]

2 minutes ago, RayOday said:

True, I track locations in Yunnan as well as I lived there for a while. Marginally better. 

Anyone who has visited Singapore has experienced Indonesia's burning pollution affecting it's neighbor. Other countries are bad yet leadership begins at home. Thailand can do much more. I have spent ~2 months in different Thai locations over the past 2 years. Thailand has much work to do. I did see fire inspectors at a cafe in a remote Nan location with fires burning all around. ? In this case accountability is not there. All along the management chain the mission appears to be failing. Much like road enforcement reducing the perennial road deaths per Capita. But then again I am imposing my view of "a better" condition of life for those whose culture I don't understand. Yup.

I understand that, as for the tfc chaos, 70-80% of the accidents involve motorcycles which the police ignore violations regularly - 3-4 on a bike, no helmets, really young kids - just go to any school a they let out each day you will see it too and there usually is a policeman present ignoring all the violations.  As for the forest fires, the govt needs to lock up those mushroom hunters setting forest fires, any owner of fields cleared by burning, lock them up as the govt may threaten fines but since the farmers may be poor, the police ignore it.  Even during the military rule, they said that they would use the military to stop the burning with the very same results of today!  This method of clearing field etc has been going on for many generations so I am positive nothing will change in my lifetime.

[FolkGuitar]

I've lived in Chiang Mai for over 25 years, and never felt the need to leave during Burning Season. Two cheap air purifiers in the house (2-bedroom apt) is all we've ever needed. We did put on masks for a week this year when we played outside, but that really was just because it 'looked' so bad!

Outside often 'looks' really bad, but the actuality is, your kitchen frequently gets a much higher PM2.5 reading any time you fry, bake, stir fry, or grill breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
In fact, do you ever eat in ethnic restaurants that have incense burning? Or visit temples with incense burning, or hell... just walking down the street and seeing all the shop keepers putting their incense out 2-3 times a day... but you don't 'see' that air pollution around you in Chiang Mai all the time.

 

I'm 78 years old. Chiang Mai's air quality has never affected me or my family over the past 25 years.  It just looks ugly for a few weeks.  Please do not allow the doom-sayers to ruin what may be a perfect place for you to live.

[FlorC]

On 5/22/2025 at 5:42 AM, DonniePeverley said:

This has to be a deal breaker for many. If i relocate my family, with school, you can't just change cities during a school term and get out of there during burning season.

 

Can someone tell me how bad this actually is? Those with experience on the ground. 

 

Thoughts?

If you have other options , you should reconsider. 

From January to end of May , it is not good.

Yes we've been lucky this year with early rain, but next can be as bad as other years or worse.

It's not just you , who can lock yourselve in a room with purifiers, it's your kids

in schools without purifiers and sporting out in the open.

[newbee2022]

On 5/22/2025 at 5:42 AM, DonniePeverley said:

This has to be a deal breaker for many. If i relocate my family, with school, you can't just change cities during a school term and get out of there during burning season.

 

Can someone tell me how bad this actually is? Those with experience on the ground. 

 

Thoughts?

I live there since decades.

It's not bad .... it's extremely bad during burning season.

That is why we live 4-5 months in the South every year.

Go and check the hospital during the burning season. They are full of people with respiratory issues.

Better move to Huahin or Chumphon

[Wrwest]

On 5/22/2025 at 5:42 AM, DonniePeverley said:

This has to be a deal breaker for many. If i relocate my family, with school, you can't just change cities during a school term and get out of there during burning season.

 

Can someone tell me how bad this actually is? Those with experience on the ground. 

 

Thoughts?

14 years a full time resident of Chiang Mai. The "smoky season" varies by year and I think you can find the annual comparison online. Some years we spent a month out of the city. But most years ... air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned stores. For school attendance ... hmm, but then school break toward the end of the smoke. Do read the comments here as responses will vary.

[Travel Dude]

I am a long term thai resident and from experience the smog is unbearable for a couple of months a year. That's mostly from end January till mid April. Some people escape to the South during these months. Others can't. Although I like Chiang Mai I would not want to live there and shorten my life by a couple of years. 

 

According to data: 

Chiang Mai has experienced varying numbers of days with PM2.5 air pollution exceeding safety standards over the past three years: 

2023

101 days with PM2.5 levels surpassing the safety threshold.  This period was marked by approximately 13,000 hotspots and 1,760 square kilometres of burned areas, leading to around 35,000 cases of respiratory illness.  

2024

80 days of PM2.5 pollution above safe levels, indicating a reduction from the previous year.  This improvement is attributed to enhanced preventive measures and increased public awareness.  

2025 (as of March 31)

37 days with PM2.5 levels exceeding safety standards since January 1.  Notably, the onset of the haze season was delayed to mid-March, and overall air quality has shown significant improvement compared to previous years.  

[Tazmo]

I don’t believe there’s any expats who would knowingly move here, given a choice??

Neither me nor any of my friends knew about the pollution before moving here.

 

I chose to retire in CM not knowing about the ‘ smoky season’, I wanted the outdoor life.

Hated being imprisoned like I was in the UK because of the cold weather there.

During the smoky season it restricts your life to being indoors.

I live near the mountains and you cannot see the mountains for a month or more! The smog is that thick! You don’t need a monitor to check it! ( although CM has had lower readings this year).

I go to Krabi for the month of March, but still face it here in some of January, whole of February and when I return in April. Not sure if I can afford it next year!

What I never knew was that the Thais grow and love a special mushroom which they cook in a soup. It’s very expensive and I believe that’s why they burn unwanted crops to grow it.

It’s called  ‘ hed por’ or in English, puff ball.

 I certainly won’t bring my children here, even if the job paid billions!  It would be irresponsible imo.

But each to their own, difficult for me to move, having bought a house through my Thai wife who prefers to live here! 
Having said all that, living here ticks all the other boxes! And I enjoy my life here except for that period of time!