Please tell me about the climate and the smoke/burning in parts of Isaan?

[WonnabeBiker]

Well, year round, folks keep burning grass, branches and trash. The other evening, I observed a stinking trash fire every 5th house!

Riding the motorcycle to Udon Thani, I can smell countless more such fires.

In certain months, they do burn the fields as well. (Leaving heaps of organic materials to nature, it would get composted and turn into great fertilizer which will be free.)

But then, they keep driving on the wrong side of even two lane interstate roads.

How about the beach near Hua Hin? That would be a good place to escape the smoke.

[lovetotravel]

Well, year round, folks keep burning grass, branches and trash. The other evening, I observed a stinking trash fire every 5th house!

Riding the motorcycle to Udon Thani, I can smell countless more such fires.

In certain months, they do burn the fields as well. (Leaving heaps of organic materials to nature, it would get composted and turn into great fertilizer which will be free.)

But then, they keep driving on the wrong side of even two lane interstate roads.

How about the beach near Hua Hin? That would be a good place to escape the smoke.

Unfortunately, smoke is a problem all over SE Asia during the burning season. A lot comes from Indonesia, but also from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and of course, Thailand. It is better near the sea, but there are days here in Pattaya when you can't see even 1km...a lot of times much less.

[Artist]

Well, year round, folks keep burning grass, branches and trash. The other evening, I observed a stinking trash fire every 5th house!

Riding the motorcycle to Udon Thani, I can smell countless more such fires.

In certain months, they do burn the fields as well. (Leaving heaps of organic materials to nature, it would get composted and turn into great fertilizer which will be free.)

But then, they keep driving on the wrong side of even two lane interstate roads.

How about the beach near Hua Hin? That would be a good place to escape the smoke.

Sounds like Issan is not a good place for you. For myself I dont see any smoke and I enjoy driving in this fantastic country. A lot better than Australia where all the motorists are half asleep as its so boring and the cops are watching everywhere to make sure you don't go 10 over the limit. I like freedom and I love the Thai people and the countryside. I don't see smoke, but I don't look for it.

Damn I just missed another fireball. The Naga Festival is in full swing here in Phon Phisai thousands of people letting off smoky fireworks and cheering when the fireballs come out of the Mekong. You know one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen is the hundreds of fire balloons people let off climbing high in the sky over Laos.

I kinda think you are missing something mate

[FiftyTwo]

A bit after harvest in November there is some burning (rice stubble) locally but not enough to cause a problem I think, near Khon Kaen

Technically burning stubble is illegal, not done so much, but still some "accidental" fires take place.

Along the South coast there are industrial areas that have the highest cases of lung cancer from industrial fumes, Rayong

Lung cancer incidence among Northern Thai women is one of the highest in Asia (an annual age-

adjusted incidence rate of 37.4 per 100,000), and the incidence rate significantly differs by geo-

graphical districts.

Women living in North Thailand, in particular Chiang

Mai Province, are known to have a high risk of lung

cancer.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1349-7006.1999.tb00694.x/pdf

Nothing to do with stubble burning.

All to do with a particular type of cigar women in the CM region smoke.

Edited October 19, 2013 by FiftyTwo

[Thomas33399]

Come to Nong Khai on the banks of the Mekong, the river itself is a huge stretch of clean air and for us at least a breeze comes down from the mountains of Laos on the other side of the river.

Incidentally, we haven't had any significant rain for a week or more and its relatively cool.

thailand-painting-holidays.com

I came back yesterday from driving through Loei, Chaing Khan along the Mekong to Nongkhai, down to Udon Thani and back to Uttaradit. I loved the area but the most disappointing thing about the trip was that it was not possible to see more that 2 kilometers in any of this area due to the heavy thick dense smoke covering the entire area. It was just not possible to see the beautiful scenery. I thought the smoke was bad in the north around Chiang Mai etc in the first half of the year, but this was worse. It lead me to suspect that the only period when they do not burn heavily (I also saw fires everywhere) was when it is actually raining in the rainy season and even then I have seen them trying. My students here in Uttaradit are aware of the problem and do not like it but it appears the farmers are a law unto themselves.

Did you go through Phon Phisai? I live here and there is absolutely no smoke from burning off rice fields. Everybody is clearing up for the Naga Festival and they have cleared the grass on the banks of the Mekong in some areas of the town but very minor smoke from that. I travel from here to Nong Khai several times a week and I have not seen any smoke along the road either.

You must be talking about some other area!

Possibly it was the mist your saw? In the mornings it has been hazy due to mist over the river and we now have light rain for the first time after being dry for over a week.

There was heavy smoke in the whole area I described. On the banks of the Mekong and in the rural areas to the south. The mountain scenery around the river and further south was only visible up close. It was there all through the day and was definitely heavy smoke haze. It has decreased in Uttaradit because it has rained again in the last couple of days.

[Thomas33399]

Come to Nong Khai on the banks of the Mekong, the river itself is a huge stretch of clean air and for us at least a breeze comes down from the mountains of Laos on the other side of the river.

Incidentally, we haven't had any significant rain for a week or more and its relatively cool.

thailand-painting-holidays.com

I came back yesterday from driving through Loei, Chaing Khan along the Mekong to Nongkhai, down to Udon Thani and back to Uttaradit. I loved the area but the most disappointing thing about the trip was that it was not possible to see more that 2 kilometers in any of this area due to the heavy thick dense smoke covering the entire area. It was just not possible to see the beautiful scenery. I thought the smoke was bad in the north around Chiang Mai etc in the first half of the year, but this was worse. It lead me to suspect that the only period when they do not burn heavily (I also saw fires everywhere) was when it is actually raining in the rainy season and even then I have seen them trying. My students here in Uttaradit are aware of the problem and do not like it but it appears the farmers are a law unto themselves.

Did you go through Phon Phisai? I live here and there is absolutely no smoke from burning off rice fields. Everybody is clearing up for the Naga Festival and they have cleared the grass on the banks of the Mekong in some areas of the town but very minor smoke from that. I travel from here to Nong Khai several times a week and I have not seen any smoke along the road either.

You must be talking about some other area!

Possibly it was the mist your saw? In the mornings it has been hazy due to mist over the river and we now have light rain for the first time after being dry for over a week.

There was heavy smoke in the whole area I described. On the banks of the Mekong and in the rural areas to the south. The mountain scenery around the river and further south was only visible up close. It was there all through the day and was definitely heavy smoke haze. It has decreased in Uttaradit because it has rained again in the last couple of days.

I am not one to pick out the worst in Thailand but if the past is anything to go by it will quickly return.

[Artist]

Come to Nong Khai on the banks of the Mekong, the river itself is a huge stretch of clean air and for us at least a breeze comes down from the mountains of Laos on the other side of the river.

Incidentally, we haven't had any significant rain for a week or more and its relatively cool.

thailand-painting-holidays.com

I came back yesterday from driving through Loei, Chaing Khan along the Mekong to Nongkhai, down to Udon Thani and back to Uttaradit. I loved the area but the most disappointing thing about the trip was that it was not possible to see more that 2 kilometers in any of this area due to the heavy thick dense smoke covering the entire area. It was just not possible to see the beautiful scenery. I thought the smoke was bad in the north around Chiang Mai etc in the first half of the year, but this was worse. It lead me to suspect that the only period when they do not burn heavily (I also saw fires everywhere) was when it is actually raining in the rainy season and even then I have seen them trying. My students here in Uttaradit are aware of the problem and do not like it but it appears the farmers are a law unto themselves.

Did you go through Phon Phisai? I live here and there is absolutely no smoke from burning off rice fields. Everybody is clearing up for the Naga Festival and they have cleared the grass on the banks of the Mekong in some areas of the town but very minor smoke from that. I travel from here to Nong Khai several times a week and I have not seen any smoke along the road either.

You must be talking about some other area!

Possibly it was the mist your saw? In the mornings it has been hazy due to mist over the river and we now have light rain for the first time after being dry for over a week.

There was heavy smoke in the whole area I described. On the banks of the Mekong and in the rural areas to the south. The mountain scenery around the river and further south was only visible up close. It was there all through the day and was definitely heavy smoke haze. It has decreased in Uttaradit because it has rained again in the last couple of days.

Sorry I got my geography wrong, I thought the route you took went through Phon Phisai which is on the main road to Nong Khai but from the east not west. Certainly we have had no smoke here in Phon Phisai and there has been no smoke between here and Nong Khai but you were on the westerly route into Nong Khai and I don't know about that.

We are in the middle of the Naga Festival which is centred on Phon Phisai and we have thousands of visitors letting off hot air balloons. They make a wonderful sight flying high over the Mekong and night and on into Laos. The weather has been very clear and the mountains of Laos look lovely in the distance.

[NeverSure]

Thanks so much. I'm reading and learning. I really appreciate it.

Why Isaan? It doesn't have to be Isaan, but I'm a country boy and don't like cities. I wouldn't mind living 20 kms outside of a city if it felt rural.

As I mentioned, I'd head straight for Chiang Rai if it wasn't for the smoke. Now I'm trying to find somewhere similar without the smoke.

Thanks!!!

Ok, off the top of my head, try any of the following.

Petchabun, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi.

Your problem may well be trying to rent a condo 20kms or so outside the city, they usually dont exist.

You dont say if you need to do visa runs, another consideration, it may well be Loei for you.

Is Loei close for a visa run, or do you go through Udon?

[NeverSure]

I have lived in Loei for many years and have never seen any smoke blocking views! there are often low clouds and early morning mist NOT SMOKE

I really liked Loei. I passed through there in April.

Are there many rentals there?

Remember, this will be like a second home for me. I will maintain residency in the US, and travel to Thailand a couple of times a year.

[Thomas33399]

I have lived in Loei for many years and have never seen any smoke blocking views! there are often low clouds and early morning mist NOT SMOKE

X ray vision perhaps? Over the last two weeks it was not possible to see more than about 3 kilometres. How can you make such a ridiculous comment? Everyone knows the farmers burn there.

[MYKTHEMIN]

I have lived in Loei for many years and have never seen any smoke blocking views! there are often low clouds and early morning mist NOT SMOKE

X ray vision perhaps? Over the last two weeks it was not possible to see more than about 3 kilometres. How can you make such a ridiculous comment? Everyone knows the farmers burn there.

No I do not need X ray vision where I live and can see for miles and miles!!! the only little burning here is a few rai of sugar cane, most where I live do not burn. How long have you lived here and where?

[lovetotravel]

I have lived in Loei for many years and have never seen any smoke blocking views! there are often low clouds and early morning mist NOT SMOKE

X ray vision perhaps? Over the last two weeks it was not possible to see more than about 3 kilometres. How can you make such a ridiculous comment? Everyone knows the farmers burn there.

No I do not need X ray vision where I live and can see for miles and miles!!! the only little burning here is a few rai of sugar cane, most where I live do not burn. How long have you lived here and where?

It's not the burning that is within a few miles of you. It's what's happening all over Asia. Smoke comes from Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, etc. In the burning season, at times, you can't see more than a few hundred meters. Happens every year. And it is a big problem.

[Uncle Pecker]

Some months ago, the government was offering a 500 baht reward if you snapped a picture of someone burning crap on the land.

[craigt3365]

Some months ago, the government was offering a 500 baht reward if you snapped a picture of someone burning crap on the land.

I was driving back from Bangkok a few days after this announcement. The toll road near the airport was completely jammed up due to a huge brush fire right next to the road. You couldn't see 20 meters. Right in the government's back yard. That day we saw at least 7 or 8 fires on our trip back to Pattaya.

Sometimes, when coming in late at night and returning by taxi to Pattaya, we can see the fires up in the hills next to the road. Lots of them. Nothing seems to be done about it.

[dennisgb45]

According to my wife, burning is about the only practical way to clear the cane fields after the harvest. Too difficult to try to cut it down or pull it out. Eat less sugar.

[MYKTHEMIN]

I have lived in Loei for many years and have never seen any smoke blocking views! there are often low clouds and early morning mist NOT SMOKE

X ray vision perhaps? Over the last two weeks it was not possible to see more than about 3 kilometres. How can you make such a ridiculous comment? Everyone knows the farmers burn there.

No I do not need X ray vision where I live and can see for miles and miles!!! the only little burning here is a few rai of sugar cane, most where I live do not burn. How long have you lived here and where?

It's not the burning that is within a few miles of you. It's what's happening all over Asia. Smoke comes from Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, etc. In the burning season, at times, you can't see more than a few hundred meters. Happens every year. And it is a big problem.

It is NOT a problem where I live!

[Thaddeus]

According to my wife, burning is about the only practical way to clear the cane fields after the harvest. Too difficult to try to cut it down or pull it out. Eat less sugar.

Not sure where you live, but around here they burn the cane fields before they harvest, makes it easier to just get the cane, and it drives the snakes away before they venture in there.

It is usually over in a matter of minutes, the smoke doesn't hang around for long but you do get black soot raining down everywhere.

[KaronSteve]

Is Loei close for a visa run, or do you go through Udon?

From Loei you can cross the bridge at Chiang Khan which is approximately 50 km or go via Udon (150 km) to Nong Khai (50km from Udon) and cross there if you want to go shopping, socialise etc.

[MYKTHEMIN]

Is Loei close for a visa run, or do you go through Udon?

From Loei you can cross the bridge at Chiang Khan which is approximately 50 km or go via Udon (150 km) to Nong Khai (50km from Udon) and cross there if you want to go shopping, socialise etc.

There is NO bridge at Chiang Khan! you have to go to Tali or Nong Khai for a bridge to Laos.

[NeverSure]

Thank you everyone. Everything is taken in carefully.

The one question that wasn't answered if anyone knows, is the availability of rentals in Loei. Anyone know?

[MYKTHEMIN]

Thank you everyone. Everything is taken in carefully.

The one question that wasn't answered if anyone knows, is the availability of rentals in Loei. Anyone know?

Sorry, I have never noticed any, but there again I have never looked as lived with the MIL while the new house was built.

[Uncle Pecker]

What about the burning of bodies at a Thai funeral? Doesn't that release all those pathogens into the air? I'd hate to live right next to a temple.

[Thomas33399]

What about the burning of bodies at a Thai funeral? Doesn't that release all those pathogens into the air? I'd hate to live right next to a temple.

you fool

you just throw in a few mosquito coils

[Thomas33399]

One more thing!

The burning is still going on unabated. The time of year does not matter. Around Uttaradit and in most parts of central northern Thailand now there are literally about 50 to 100 fires within view at any one place as you drive through the countryside. The mountains are only just shadows in the smoky haze in the distance.

[craigt3365]

It was really bad today here south of Pattaya. Couldn't see more than 1km or so. Massive burning is going on somewhere.

[GinBoy2]

I live in Chaiyaphum province and to answer the OP's question no burning really happens here. They burn off the rice stubble, but I never really notice it, not like there are clouds of smoke everywhere

And as a side note, the weather right now is awesome, cool, actually almost chilly at night, with balmy daytime temps

[mike2011]

In March 2010 I flew into BKK during daytime. Cambodia was just one huge smoke pit. The view from the plane was similar to images of industrial areas from the 19th century. A few days later I wanted to visit Isaan and went by the Aran route towards Lahansai. BAD idea. I got off the bus now and then and just waited for the next. The air improved north of KK. Until that point the sky was grey and I had constantly that smoke smell in my nose. Thus even if there are no local fires a breeze in the 'wrong' direction brings all the good stuff from Cambodia over.

The daily household trash burning might be even more lethal will all that plastic going up in the air. However a lot depends on conditions at the specific spot.

Aside from that trip, I had hardly problems with bad air in Isaan during other times of the year.