Recommendations To Get Out Of Chiang Mai

[pmf113b]

We are not due to leave Chiang Mai until 23rd March but this weather is really getting us down now and we are thinking of moving outside of Chiang Mai until we are due to leave for KL.

Can anyone recommend anywhere that isn't too far away that we could stay for the next 3 weeks.??

Thanks

[elektrified]

Not to far away - then why bother? If you want to escape the smoke in the air then go to the coast or go to one of the Islands.

[ExpatOilWorker]

Is the smog really that bad in CM?

[pmf113b]

Is the smog really that bad in CM?

It's REALLY bad.!

I have been visiting for several years and never known it this bad before, and so early in the year.

[Sparkles]

Not to far away - then why bother? If you want to escape the smoke in the air then go to the coast or go to one of the Islands.

If its really that bad for you sugest you jump on a plane out of Chiang Mai to Phuket or any other direct flight you can find down to the south.Coming back from Bangkok, by bus, this week its bad up to 100km south.Not just farmers burning ,road side burning too so even Government Agencies can't get it right.

[Tywais]

Is the smog really that bad in CM?

Read here in the pinned topic >

[heybruce]

Is the smog really that bad in CM?

I live on Nimmanhamin and haven't seen the mountains, not even a faint outline of the mountains, for two days. And there probably won't be any decent rains until April. Better get used to the mask.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The above is not correct; it can go up and down over the next month, but rain is not a requirement for it to significantly improve.

I'm hoping the early spike means that we'll have an easier month of March. After all you can only burn something once. (Though weather may have the bigger impact.)

[BrettFerg]

Just spent a week in Omkoi. what a beautiful area. South to Hot and then up the mountains

through beatiful park and forest with Pine and Eucalyptus trees. Much better air and many Karen.

A nice change.

[MESmith]

After all you can only burn something once.

That's what I thought, back in October

But I agree, weather conditions can change things overnight. And also bring the smog back overnight.....

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Agreed; Anyway, as the answer to the original poster: everywhere in the North is bad, most actually worse than Chiang Mai.

So the most sensible option really if the haze affects you is to go find a beach somewhere. Pattaya or Ko Samet is relatively easy to get to, and not too pricey.

I might go to Pattaya myself actually; if ever there's a good reason to go to Pattaya then this is it.

[MESmith]

The OP doesn't explain why they need to leave CM 23 March & not now. If it's because of an airplane ticket out to KL, try to change it. If you can't change it, bin it (but please don't burn it) & go to the beach, then find another way back to KL.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Or just come back up to Chiang Mai later to catch the flight; keep an eye on the haze situation, it may improve and if it does you can still spend some good time in Chiang Mai.

BTW I can see the mountain again this late afternoon; sharp drop this afternoon from very high values around lunch time. It's great to have a continuous data feed from the new site instead of just daily averages.

[elektrified]

I'm thinking of getting out of here for a while myself. My eyes are burning and itching like crazy. Maybe a trip to Cha Am for a few days...

[thrilled]

The air is really bad.i can tell it as soon as i get off the plane.I don't believe no one can breathe that air and live a long time in that city.

[heybruce]

"I live on Nimmanhamin and haven't seen the mountains, not even a faint outline of the mountains, for two days. And there probably won't be any decent rains until April. Better get used to the mask."

The above is not correct; it can go up and down over the next month, but rain is not a requirement for it to significantly improve.

I'm hoping the early spike means that we'll have an easier month of March. After all you can only burn something once. (Though weather may have the bigger impact.)

Well, if you want to nitpick I'll nitpick back at you. Yes air quality can fluctuate depending on weather during the dry season, just like you can have cool days in the summer and warm days in the winter at higher latitudes. However just as it doesn't get consistently cool until summer is over or consistently warm until winter is over, it is generally recognized that you don't get consistent improvements in air quality in the north of Thailand until the dry season and the burning ends and there are some good rains to clean the air. I stand by original post and will keep my mask handy.

[jonwilly]

Well I live further up Suthep Rd then the Irrigation canal and I could not see the temple of Doi Suthep yesterday afternoon.

It's bad this year.

john

[CMX]

I recall reading about a seaside town that is without the hassles and prices of major beachside centres. Alas, I've lost track of such suggestions. I have no ambitions beyond reading, relaxing, and my music - oh, and breathing.

Pattaya, of course, appeals in its way, but has not one soul several suggestions for quiet places - towns, villages, crossroads - where one can breathe in and not pay 3000 baht/day for a towering westernized hole? Come next month's heat, perhaps even be more comfortable?

(I figure to run down south using my car, so airports do not figure in my escape plans.)

[Dellboy218]

Just driven down to Ubon, although it thins out some, smoke is evident well south east of Khon Kaen. Ubon and Amphur Det is clear,

[WinnieTheKhwai]

"I live on Nimmanhamin and haven't seen the mountains, not even a faint outline of the mountains, for two days. And there probably won't be any decent rains until April. Better get used to the mask."

The above is not correct; it can go up and down over the next month, but rain is not a requirement for it to significantly improve.

I'm hoping the early spike means that we'll have an easier month of March. After all you can only burn something once. (Though weather may have the bigger impact.)

Well, if you want to nitpick I'll nitpick back at you. Yes air quality can fluctuate depending on weather during the dry season, just like you can have cool days in the summer and warm days in the winter at higher latitudes. However just as it doesn't get consistently cool until summer is over or consistently warm until winter is over, it is generally recognized that you don't get consistent improvements in air quality in the north of Thailand until the dry season and the burning ends and there are some good rains to clean the air. I stand by original post and will keep my mask handy.

Except that the data doesn't show that. You see a marked improvement early April, so that's before you get significant rain, usually late April or May. I agree though that there is another big improvement when that does actually happen. Not sure if it's the rain itself or the winds changing that bring the rain, or both.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I recall reading about a seaside town that is without the hassles and prices of major beachside centres. Alas, I've lost track of such suggestions. I have no ambitions beyond reading, relaxing, and my music - oh, and breathing.

Prachuap Khiri Khan. It's an interesting town, there is a greay bay/beach inside the airforce base (Ao Manao) and there are other nice beaches up and down the coast there. Don't tell anyone.

Pattaya, of course, appeals in its way, but has not one soul several suggestions for quiet places - towns, villages, crossroads - where one can breathe in and not pay 3000 baht/day for a towering westernized hole?

Price/value wise, Pattaya/Naklua/Jomtien is excellent. Great hotels well under 1000 baht. If you stay longer you can likely negotiate a better deal too.

Come next month's heat, perhaps even be more comfortable?

No. While the temperature in the North is higher, Pattaya gets insane humidity making it very uncomfortable.

(I figure to run down south using my car, so airports do not figure in my escape plans.)

That's a great idea, especially so that you have your won wheels down South. I would drive too, especially when staying longer than a couple days.

[Saan]

Just spent a week in Omkoi. what a beautiful area. South to Hot and then up the mountains

through beatiful park and forest with Pine and Eucalyptus trees. Much better air and many Karen.

A nice change.

I recently drove to the Mae Tho National Park from Hot and they seem to be burning firebreaks right through the mountains. So no escape there.

Strangely enough, even though I suffer from asthma, my breathing has never been better. I guess it depends on what triggers your asthma.

[elektrified]

I recall reading about a seaside town that is without the hassles and prices of major beachside centres. Alas, I've lost track of such suggestions. I have no ambitions beyond reading, relaxing, and my music - oh, and breathing.

Pattaya, of course, appeals in its way, but has not one soul several suggestions for quiet places - towns, villages, crossroads - where one can breathe in and not pay 3000 baht/day for a towering westernized hole? Come next month's heat, perhaps even be more comfortable?

(I figure to run down south using my car, so airports do not figure in my escape plans.)

Sounds like Cha Am. Nice place.

[ThaiPauly]

I can see the outline of the mountain today, its not as bad as yesterday morning

[CMX]

Can anyone recommend anywhere that isn't too far away that we could stay for the next 3 weeks.?? - OP

I am not the OP, but I am most grateful for those who have indicateded names of places (+price info) - and also distant 'clear reports' their contributions.

For local condition reports, what I have been doing is to read the pinned subject, yea, far above. I was thinking that this thread relates to where to go as an alternative.

Phuket was OK two years ago in March, for me (well south on the island, on the Adaman Sea side), but I explored the island exhaustively during my stay. And while it was quite warm and humid, it was free of pollutants and fun for motorbike riding.

[Ricardo]

I recall reading about a seaside town that is without the hassles and prices of major beachside centres. Alas, I've lost track of such suggestions. I have no ambitions beyond reading, relaxing, and my music - oh, and breathing.

Pattaya, of course, appeals in its way, but has not one soul several suggestions for quiet places - towns, villages, crossroads - where one can breathe in and not pay 3000 baht/day for a towering westernized hole? Come next month's heat, perhaps even be more comfortable?

(I figure to run down south using my car, so airports do not figure in my escape plans.)

It may have been Cha-Am, or one of the resorts 50-100 km South of Hua-Hin, maybe Ban Saphan or Ban Krut ?