My wife and I need to escape the pollution that is all over the north of the country.

When looking at the various AQI websites, I am getting conflicting scores.

I would rather that it came from 'the horse's mouth', so please tell me if the air is actually clean where you live. We will he heading away from the north as far as we need to go, to find AQI ratings around 90 or less. Nowhere chosen yet, until I talk to you guys and hopefully, get some feedback.

Many thanks, if you can help.

Anywhere in Isaan is out of the question......the air is so bad where we are you can't see the mountains that are less than 2km away.

Pattaya clean air lately

Was taking notice of that the other day, and seems just along the Gulf, or points below Chumphon were the only areas in moderate 50-100 range. Sadly, seems not much has change, except a wee bit worse than last time I checked.

We're an hour+, and 100 kms south of Hua Hin, and our home meter agrees with website, IQAir. Along with 2 local meters. Hua Hin always a wee bit higher than us.

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Pattaya clean air lately

Agree, just keep away from some of the Soi 6 bars, got some wrong smells going on there.

Best air is some of the islands, and Krabi along the coastline

@hughrection Agree with above 2 post, and Patts or Chonburi would be closest as easiest surfside areas to get to, if driving.

Coming down to West coast of Gulf is a hassle, as hwy 4 at Ratchaburi area & 35 at Samut Sakhon/Songkhram have major congestion.

Fly to Phang Nga, NST or Krabi would be my choice if not driving. Airports close to town, public trans and maybe rent scooter, if comfy driving.

The Bangkok Post often reports air around Chon Buri is not much better than that of Bangkok in March and April, even with the sea breezes.

20 hours ago, hughrection said:

My wife and I need to escape the pollution that is all over the north of the country.

When looking at the various AQI websites, I am getting conflicting scores.

I would rather that it came from 'the horse's mouth', so please tell me if the air is actually clean where you live. We will he heading away from the north as far as we need to go, to find AQI ratings around 90 or less. Nowhere chosen yet, until I talk to you guys and hopefully, get some feedback.

Many thanks, if you can help.

TAK and Kamphaeng at 0800 today is 94 /97. Info taken off IQ Air, Google the site for real time.

Our house down in Huay Yot Trang....surrounded by rubber trees cool in the mornings and fresh clean air always...

We live at Natai Beach in Phang Nga. AQI is 60 currently. I can't see anywhere in Thailand with an AQI reading lower than that. We live at Natai Beach precisely for the reason that the air quality here is usually better than other parts of Thailand.

20 hours ago, hughrection said:

My wife and I need to escape the pollution that is all over the north of the country.

When looking at the various AQI websites, I am getting conflicting scores.

I would rather that it came from 'the horse's mouth', so please tell me if the air is actually clean where you live. We will he heading away from the north as far as we need to go, to find AQI ratings around 90 or less. Nowhere chosen yet, until I talk to you guys and hopefully, get some feedback.

Many thanks, if you can help.

Horrible all over the country. Look up IQAir.com Search for map. You would be hard to find any country as bad as it is here. You want clean air, go anywhere else.

159 in Phimai, Nakhonratchasima. Korat is 87, Bangkok is 99,

1 minute ago, petermik said:

Our house down in Huay Yot Trang....surrounded by rubber trees cool in the mornings and fresh clean air always...

1 minute ago, petermik said:

Our house down in Huay Yot Trang....surrounded by rubber trees cool in the mornings and fresh clean air always...

20 hours ago, hughrection said:

My wife and I need to escape the pollution that is all over the north of the country.

When looking at the various AQI websites, I am getting conflicting scores.

I would rather that it came from 'the horse's mouth', so please tell me if the air is actually clean where you live. We will he heading away from the north as far as we need to go, to find AQI ratings around 90 or less. Nowhere chosen yet, until I talk to you guys and hopefully, get some feedback.

Many thanks, if you can help.

20 hours ago, hughrection said:

My wife and I need to escape the pollution that is all over the north of the country.

When looking at the various AQI websites, I am getting conflicting scores.

I would rather that it came from 'the horse's mouth', so please tell me if the air is actually clean where you live. We will he heading away from the north as far as we need to go, to find AQI ratings around 90 or less. Nowhere chosen yet, until I talk to you guys and hopefully, get some feedback.

Many thanks, if you can help.

Lived in pattaya for 13 years and it seemed like each year the air pollution got worse and worse. In the burning months from December to April i had my 2 air purifiers on 24/7 daily in my condo and when riding my bike I wore a N95 pollution mask but the air was so bad the pm2.5 still effected my breathing.

I decided to do some research into the subject even speaking to a lung specialist who told me the air is so toxic many people will begin to suffer from respiratory diseases with long term exposure causing cancers amongst other nasty illnesses.

I was shocked as I didn’t realize just how bad the pollution was. To make the situation even worse Pattaya is close to Rayong where there are many factories which pump out a lot of pollution too.

I knew I had to escape as I’m a fit individual who doesn’t drink or smoke and by staying in pattaya I knew I’d eventually end up with some sort of lung disease in the future so I decided to relocate.

What I learned was if I wanted to stay in Thailand I had to head as far south as possible so I’ll moved to ko samui where the air quality is so much better.

We have the odd day where the AQI can creep up but it’s rarely bad enough to do any long term damage so definitely made the right decision to move.

I understand from friends still living in pattaya the air hasn’t been as bad this year but I checked the AQI app the other day and the readings were shocking especially in Pai ( over 300) and CM (250+) pattaya was 160.

Most people don’t understand how serious this pollution is but from my research I can tell u it’s deadly and if u live in a place where the pollution is this bad it’s like smoking a few packs of cigarettes per day and worse.

Being oblivious won’t save your lungs so wake up and escape these cities with toxic air ASAP especially in the burning season.

37 minutes ago, Skeety65 said:

Lived in pattaya for 13 years and it seemed like each year the air pollution got worse and worse. In the burning months from December to April i had my 2 air purifiers on 24/7 daily in my condo and when riding my bike I wore a N95 pollution mask but the air was so bad the pm2.5 still effected my breathing.

I decided to do some research into the subject even speaking to a lung specialist who told me the air is so toxic many people will begin to suffer from respiratory diseases with long term exposure causing cancers amongst other nasty illnesses.

I was shocked as I didn’t realize just how bad the pollution was. To make the situation even worse Pattaya is close to Rayong where there are many factories which pump out a lot of pollution too.

I knew I had to escape as I’m a fit individual who doesn’t drink or smoke and by staying in pattaya I knew I’d eventually end up with some sort of lung disease in the future so I decided to relocate.

What I learned was if I wanted to stay in Thailand I had to head as far south as possible so I’ll moved to ko samui where the air quality is so much better.

We have the odd day where the AQI can creep up but it’s rarely bad enough to do any long term damage so definitely made the right decision to move.

I understand from friends still living in pattaya the air hasn’t been as bad this year but I checked the AQI app the other day and the readings were shocking especially in Pai ( over 300) and CM (250+) pattaya was 160.

Most people don’t understand how serious this pollution is but from my research I can tell u it’s deadly and if u live in a place where the pollution is this bad it’s like smoking a few packs of cigarettes per day and worse.

Being oblivious won’t save your lungs so wake up and escape these cities with toxic air ASAP especially in the burning season.

I realize a lot of folks will sneer, roll their eyes, etc when I mention wearing a mask. I am reaching 80 this year, was a long distance runner for 50 years and mostly in large capital cities of the world known for their pollution especially the pre-lead free gasoline years and as a govt employee, yearly visits of doctors and checking with me about jogging on the streets, always recommended I wear a mask. I did so. A friend of mine, a world-class runner did not wear a mask. During end of tours in any city, we undergo physicals including chest xrays - mine have always shown a healthy set of lungs where as my jogging friend at the end of that last trip, was advised to stop smoking. She laughed and said she had never smoked in her life but he doctor showed her healthy lung xrays compared to her xrays - he said hers showed what a person smoking a pack a day cigarettes would look like. You don't need to trust me on this, but there is a link: Quality and fit are essential. I ran the streets of BKK and CM for over 40 years year round with masks. Still exercise daily with zero breathing problems.

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/newsroom/air-pollution-mask-what-works-what-doesn't

4 minutes ago, Presnock said:

I realize a lot of folks will sneer, roll their eyes, etc when I mention wearing a mask. I am reaching 80 this year, was a long distance runner for 50 years and mostly in large capital cities of the world known for their pollution especially the pre-lead free gasoline years and as a govt employee, yearly visits of doctors and checking with me about jogging on the streets, always recommended I wear a mask. I did so. A friend of mine, a world-class runner did not wear a mask. During end of tours in any city, we undergo physicals including chest xrays - mine have always shown a healthy set of lungs where as my jogging friend at the end of that last trip, was advised to stop smoking. She laughed and said she had never smoked in her life but he doctor showed her healthy lung xrays compared to her xrays - he said hers showed what a person smoking a pack a day cigarettes would look like. You don't need to trust me on this, but there is a link: Quality and fit are essential. I ran the streets of BKK and CM for over 40 years year round with masks. Still exercise daily with zero breathing problems.

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/newsroom/air-pollution-mask-what-works-what-doesn't

What kind of mask did you use? I tried running with a mask and was getting not enough air!

22 hours ago, hughrection said:

My wife and I need to escape the pollution that is all over the north of the country.

When looking at the various AQI websites, I am getting conflicting scores.

I would rather that it came from 'the horse's mouth', so please tell me if the air is actually clean where you live. We will he heading away from the north as far as we need to go, to find AQI ratings around 90 or less. Nowhere chosen yet, until I talk to you guys and hopefully, get some feedback.

Many thanks, if you can help.

I live retired in Chiang Mai. We are currently ensconced in Koh Lanta with IQAir index at 57.

36 minutes ago, jvs said:

What kind of mask did you use? I tried running with a mask and was getting not enough air!

Originally used an n95 and if the pollution was really high, sometimes I would wear two masks just in case but never had any breathing problems with 20k runs even. I have friends that do have some breathing problems but in their cases, stems from lung problems. Some of the masks with exchangeable inside pads ( used by motorcycle riders) are also N95. Maybe walking for a couple of weeks wearing a mask then using for runs too. Good luck for sure! as pollution only seems to worsen instead of getting better. Current cabinet having problems concerning a "new" anti pollution bill too according to the B.Post.

1 minute ago, Presnock said:

Originally used an n95 and if the pollution was really high, sometimes I would wear two masks just in case but never had any breathing problems with 20k runs even. I have friends that do have some breathing problems but in their cases, stems from lung problems. Some of the masks with exchangeable inside pads ( used by motorcycle riders) are also N95. Maybe walking for a couple of weeks wearing a mask then using for runs too. Good luck for sure! as pollution only seems to worsen instead of getting better. Current cabinet having problems concerning a "new" anti pollution bill too according to the B.Post.

I also began wearing a mask when I exercised indoors as there were seldom any air purifiers active - doctors recommended to wear a mask inside too and turn on the A/C.

I was in Jomtiem for two months and it wasn't too bad but not the best. Took an air purifier with me. Would look out towards Na Jomtiem and if I could see the hills ok thought it would be an ok day. Seemed worse last year but still often not flash as you walk and see a haze in the air. Come to Melbourne has fresh air.

Central provvies, Ang Thong, Singburi, Suphan Buri, Chai Nat....all enclosed in haze & visibility well down.🙃🙃

23 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Agree, just keep away from some of the Soi 6 bars, got some wrong smells going on there.

Something fishy about this post.

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I was in Jomtiem for two months and it wasn't too bad but not the best. Took an air purifier with me. Would look out towards Na Jomtiem and if I could see the hills ok thought it would be an ok day. Seemed worse last year but still often not flash as you walk and see a haze in the air. Come to Melbourne has fresh air.

57 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Central provvies, Ang Thong, Singburi, Suphan Buri, Chai Nat....all enclosed in haze & visibility well down.🙃🙃

Yeah, yesterday early AM moon was a beautiful ORANGE color here in CM due to the pollution.

Air quality here on Phuket is pretty good at the moment but then there are 101 other "issues" we have to put up with. 🍻

34 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Yeah, yesterday early AM moon was a beautiful ORANGE color here in CM due to the pollution.

Trumpy in the Sky with Diamonds?

Perish the thought.🙃🙃

The idea of a glass garden, solar power, and a large air conditioner has already paid off. No matter where you live inland, the air will be bad; the west coast will always be better off. This year I have seen numbers in Pattaya and Ranong that I had not noticed before, and even Korat and Chaiyaphum have been extreme, despite having fewer fires than before.

Hopefully things will improve one day, but that will likely be far in the future. If anything is going to change, they need real early intervention: the army or other authorities patrolling from the air, locating fires quickly, and having the tools and resources to kill every fire as early as possible. And of course, the more electric vehicles, the better, more regulations for manufacturing with more

36 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Trumpy in the Sky with Diamonds?

Perish the thought.🙃🙃

Like I said beautiful ORANGE, unlike the sick orange from the president

Just asked AI where in thailand there is better air quality :

The best air quality in Thailand is consistently found in the

southern coastal provinces and islands, particularly in Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Phuket. These areas benefit from maritime breezes, lower industrial density, and reduced agricultural burning compared to the northern and central regions. 

Smart Air purifiers +3

Top Locations for Clean Air

• Southern Provinces: Trang (regularly rated best), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Hat Yai, and Songkhla.

• Islands: Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan, especially during the dry season.

• Coastal Areas: Areas near Rayong and Trat (Koh Chang) often have better air quality than inland cities. 

  Smart Air purifiers +4

Best Time for Good Air Quality

• July - October: During the rainy season, air quality is usually good nationwide as the rain washes away particulates.

• December - February: The southern coastal regions remain clean while the north and central regions experience increased pollution.

• Avoid: Chiang Mai and the North from February to April during the "burning season". 

28 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Just asked AI where in thailand there is better air quality :

The best air quality in Thailand is consistently found in the

southern coastal provinces and islands, particularly in Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Phuket. These areas benefit from maritime breezes, lower industrial density, and reduced agricultural burning compared to the northern and central regions. 

Smart Air purifiers +3

Top Locations for Clean Air

• Southern Provinces: Trang (regularly rated best), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Hat Yai, and Songkhla.

• Islands: Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan, especially during the dry season.

• Coastal Areas: Areas near Rayong and Trat (Koh Chang) often have better air quality than inland cities. 

  Smart Air purifiers +4

Best Time for Good Air Quality

• July - October: During the rainy season, air quality is usually good nationwide as the rain washes away particulates.

• December - February: The southern coastal regions remain clean while the north and central regions experience increased pollution.

• Avoid: Chiang Mai and the North from February to April during the "burning season". 

Pretty sure my soi cat would have given the same answers.

Basic stuff.🙃🙃

8 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Pretty sure my soi cat would have given the same answers.

Basic stuff.🙃🙃

Could your soi cat give you sources and fact check to?