The first crop is in. Rains. small storms have been hitting hill areas for a couple weeks now. These mushrooms & other forest products, are the reason why burning of forest land has exploded exponentially in the last two decades. This in northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Money isto be made. Hard to stop, by the number of motorcycles, lots of people are involved in this.

Edited May 1May 1 by Dcheech

On 4/28/2026 at 1:11 AM, OutofLondon said:

If you took the time to read your own posts, perhaps you’d understand why other are annoyed when people who don’t live here comment on the pollution. First you say the burning season is going on longer this year, then you contradict yourself by telling us the locals say it’s better this year and finally you admit to not even living here. Very useful.

You don’t seem to understand my OP, or is asking a question now the same as making contradictory statements? That’s quite an impressive leap.

 

For clarity (since it seems needed): I didn’t say the burning season is longer — I asked if it is. That’s what a question mark is for. You might want to familiarise yourself with those.

 

And pointing out that some locals say it’s better isn’t a contradiction — it’s highlighting the gap between perception and measured data. Living somewhere doesn’t magically make someone an air-quality expert, any more than standing in the rain makes you a meteorologist.

 

As for the “don’t live here, don’t comment” argument — that’s just gatekeeping dressed up as logic. Air quality is measured by sensors and data, not by residency status.

But by all means, if ignoring the data and relying on vibes works for you, crack on.

 

THis video shows some of the main reasons for the seasonal burning especially in thrr North, but even the South is not safe these days....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdzPGw3bv8

 

Edited May 6May 6 by kwilco

On 4/21/2026 at 12:21 PM, cdulaney said:

The pollution we are seeing every year at this time can be caused by Inversions of the atmosphere.

Quick! Apply for a job at TAT PR. 😁

Just now, Packer said:

Quick! Apply for a job at TAT PR. 😁

Quick, ger an education and stop drinking alcohol every day.

On 4/21/2026 at 6:21 AM, cdulaney said:

The pollution we are seeing every year at this time can be caused by Inversions of the atmosphere.

I get the feeling you don't know what you are talking about. It is air pollution from PM2.5 particles that is the problem – the levels exacerbated by burning biomass – that is the main cause. However, Chiang Mai itself acts as a pollution magnet, and the reason for that particular area to be so bad is due to the topography; it is prone to temperature or atmospheric inversions – these occur when a layer of warm air sits over colder, denser air near the ground, reversing the normal atmospheric condition where temperatures decrease with height. Acting as a "cap", this stable layer traps pollutants, fog, and moisture close to the surface, preventing vertical air mixing, and so you get poor air quality by trapping smog, producing heavy fog in some occasions, and causing poor visibility, and it can either suppress or worsen thunderstorm development.

15 hours ago, kwilco said:

I get the feeling you don't know what you are talking about. It is air pollution from PM2.5 particles that is the problem – the levels exacerbated by burning biomass – that is the main cause. However, Chiang Mai itself acts as a pollution magnet, and the reason for that particular area to be so bad is due to the topography; it is prone to temperature or atmospheric inversions – these occur when a layer of warm air sits over colder, denser air near the ground, reversing the normal atmospheric condition where temperatures decrease with height. Acting as a "cap", this stable layer traps pollutants, fog, and moisture close to the surface, preventing vertical air mixing, and so you get poor air quality by trapping smog, producing heavy fog in some occasions, and causing poor visibility, and it can either suppress or worsen thunderstorm development.

I see you have gone to Google and placed my comment in the search and copied and made a paste supporting my comment.

Maybe you should be careful who you insult on a person's comment by using your feelings.

Mostly gone now,

Beautiful blue skies today, out cycling, can see right across the city to the mountains all around.

6 hours ago, cdulaney said:

I see you have gone to Google and placed my comment in the search and copied and made a paste supporting my comment.

Maybe you should be careful who you insult on a person's comment by using your feelings.

The irony here is that you’ve just confirmed my point.

Your original statement said the pollution is “caused by inversions". It isn’t. The pollution is primarily caused by PM2.5 from biomass burning, traffic, industry, etc. The inversion is what traps and concentrates it — especially in Chiang Mai’s basin geography.

That distinction matters.

And no, explaining atmospheric inversion isn’t “copying Google". Google is a search engine, not a source. The problem isn’t finding information — it’s understanding it correctly and putting it into context, which your original comment failed to do.

Also worth remembering: the OP asked whether the burning season is extended this year. Instead of discussing that, you’ve shifted into complaining that someone corrected your incorrect science.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

The irony here is that you’ve just confirmed my point.

Your original statement said the pollution is “caused by inversions". It isn’t. The pollution is primarily caused by PM2.5 from biomass burning, traffic, industry, etc. The inversion is what traps and concentrates it — especially in Chiang Mai’s basin geography.

That distinction matters.

And no, explaining atmospheric inversion isn’t “copying Google". Google is a search engine, not a source. The problem isn’t finding information — it’s understanding it correctly and putting it into context, which your original comment failed to do.

Also worth remembering: the OP asked whether the burning season is extended this year. Instead of discussing that, you’ve shifted into complaining that someone corrected your incorrect science.

Inversion is NOT incorrect science. I wasn't trying to contradict the article but saying there are other reasons for air quality other than what you are trying say is the only reason. For God's sake, I hope you are not married as she would have to sleep in a different bed with your opinion is right and she is wrong on every topic as you interpret it. Good night, Dear.

48 minutes ago, cdulaney said:

Inversion is NOT incorrect science. I wasn't trying to contradict the article but saying there are other reasons for air quality other than what you are trying say is the only reason. For God's sake, I hope you are not married as she would have to sleep in a different bed with your opinion is right and she is wrong on every topic as you interpret it. Good night, Dear.

Inversion is not incorrect, but your statement is...duh! - Younow resort to ad hominems the sign of someone with no argument.

12 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Mostly gone now,

Beautiful blue skies today, out cycling, can see right across the city to the mountains all around.

Air quality much improved in the past few days.

Not as good as it should be, or will be as soon as the monsoon breaks.

This year's almost two months of toxic air showed just how incompetent the central gov't was in organizing a comprehensive response to wildfire control and containment.

Not to mention effective enforcement of laws banning agricultural burning.

Blue skies and white Cumulus clouds bubbling up on the rim of the horizon yesterday late morning. Last night, a wind came up before dusk, moving clouds, thunder rumbling. A nearby flash, clap, then rain. A good 45-minute downpour, followed by a half hour of soft rain.

Finally & rain in the forecast for the days ahead too. For all those wringing their hands about heat, dust & toxicity, time to pack it in tell next year.
Cheers

15 hours ago, kwilco said:

Inversion is not incorrect, but your statement is...duh! - Younow resort to ad hominems the sign of someone with no argument.

People like you always has to have the last spout, so refer to my comment about you having a wife. Bye

13 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

Air quality much improved in the past few days.

Not as good as it should be, or will be as soon as the monsoon breaks.

This year's almost two months of toxic air showed just how incompetent the central gov't was in organizing a comprehensive response to wildfire control and containment.

Not to mention effective enforcement of laws banning agricultural burning.

I only counted 3 weeks of dire air quality this year.

IMHO one of the best years in the past 15.

17 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I only counted 3 weeks of dire air quality this year.

IMHO one of the best years in the past 15.

That was outside ... what about inside the house

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I only counted 3 weeks of dire air quality this year.

IMHO one of the best years in the past 15.

Maybe your definition of "dire" is different from mine.

I consider an AQI above 100 to be toxic and dangerous. We certainly had more than three weeks of that this year.

Chiang Mai was the most polluted city in the world for several days during the worst of the burning season.

The response to that public health crisis from the authorities was woefully inadequate.

Next year will be more of the same unless people wake up and start using whatever ability and talents they have to make some meaningful change.

19 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

Maybe your definition of "dire" is different from mine.

My definition would be, can't see the mountain from my patio!

Edited May 9May 9 by BritManToo

@BritManToo

That's just about what I would say also.

Our house near the Gymkhana Club in Nong Hoi has a partial view of Doi Suthep.

Depending on how clearly I can see it gives me some idea of the air quality.

However, the CM Real-time AQI online is what I trust more than anything else.

This morning early it went from 20+ Green [good] to 60+ Yellow [moderate] a few hours later.

An overall improving trend is definitely underway thanks to the rains.

Now we can look forward to a long season of amnesia where little or nothing is done to upgrade the wildfire fighting and containment capabilities of the gov't agencies responsible for public health.