Chiang Mai tourism unaffected by haze pollution

[webfact]

Chiang Mai tourism unaffected by haze pollution
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, March 20 – Haze pollution in Thailand's famed northern resort province of Chiang Mai has yet to pose any threats to the province's tourism sector, though the province may lose up to Bt2 billion in tourism revenues if smog situation turns critical.

Thai Hotels Association Northern Chapter president Phunat Thanalaopanich said the annual occurrence of haze was among the main factors threatening Chiang Mai tourism, though this year the situation is still controllable.

Mr Phunat said excessive haze had yet to affect provincial tourism. Chiang Mai now has approximately an 80 per cent occupancy rate--up to 40,000 hotel-room bookings--for the traditional Songkran Thai New Year holiday next month. Hotel rooms within Chiang Mai’s old areas are especially fully booked.

The tourism executive noted, that tourists may shifted to other destinations if haze problem gets critical, which could result in a Bt2 billion loss in tourism revenue.

He also said that the Songkran festival to be held in Singapore at the same time as Thailand's traditional festival should not affect Chiang Mai tourism as the style will be different from the original Thai roots.

The Pollution Control Department, meanwhile, reports that dust particles in the upper Thai North were measured at levels of 24-214 microgrammes/cubic metre (MCM), with Chiang Rai province suffering the highest level of pollution and Chiang Mai province records 139 MCM of dust levels.

Dr Pongthep Wiwattanadej from Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine advised the public to wear masks and avoid any outdoor activities as excessive smoke can cause various health problems. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-20

[clockman]

And that is all they are concerned about. Health and safety is of no concern. The mantra, is greed!

[Dap]

"if smog situation turns critical."

"if"??? It's not already??

[upena]

Nothing anywhere ever has an impact on Thai tourism

[khwaibah]

"if smog situation turns critical."

"if"??? It's not already??

NO

[circusman]

And that is all they are concerned about. Health and safety is of no concern. The mantra, is greed!

Did you bother to read all the article? They did mention health concerns.

[Morch]

CHIANG MAI, March 20 – Haze pollution in Thailand's famed northern resort province of Chiang Mai has yet to pose any threats to the province's tourism sector, though the province may lose up to Bt2 billion in tourism revenues if smog situation turns critical.

Chiang Mai haze situation remains critical; 16,000 admitted to hospital

CHIANG MAI, 19 March 2014 (NNT) – The haze situation in Chiang Mai remains critical, with more than 16,000 people having been admitted to hospital because of the pollution.

The sky over Chiang Mai city remains blanketed by smoke from forest fires, which have persisted over the area for more than a week. Most of the people going about outdoors were reportedly wearing face masks to protect themselves from the pollution. Visibility remains severely hampered.

Of the more than 16,000 patients admitted to hospital so far, 8,078 had heart or arteries conditions. 6,028 were diagnosed with respiratory problems, 1,352 had eye inflammation and 1,392 persons had skin conditions.

In the meantime, as many as 60,000 people have fallen ill in 8 other provinces in the North. Public Health officials are preparing to hand out 500,000 face masks to people afflicted by the haze. Locals are also advised to avoid exercising outdoors during the current period of high air particulate matter reading.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711998-thailand-live-wednesday-19-mar-2014/page-2#entry7580288

[tomyumchai]

would many of the tourists have been aware of the haze before booking up? you see the brocure and book the ticket from the nice office/internet site back home and then rock up to chiang mai where you then find out its smogbound...........bit too late to complain or cancel by then.

[bangon04]

ChiangMai has a much nicer blend of smog than Bangkok/samut prakarn at the moment...Do you think the TAT will run a campaign based on the varieties of carcinogens available to the experienced tourist?

[laislica]

I noticed that the fountains are not working and I wonder why?

It might help to cool the air and trap some of the dust at least a tiny bit.

They look nice too!

Edited March 20, 2014 by laislica

[Dap]

"if smog situation turns critical."

"if"??? It's not already??

NO

NO???? Clinics and Hospitals all over the north are full of children and geriatrics who are

experiencing difficulties breathing and you say NO! Get a clue mate. Thailand is overwhelmed

with garbage air, and you have the gall to say it isn't critical??? Tell me khwaibah, just exactly

what is your definition of "critical"???

[belg]

do they think in returning tourists? if you lived this once, and you find out it is a yearly thing, would you book your next holliday in smoke city? have my doubts

[Ashto]

I'm planning on coming to Chang Mai, Luang Prabang and Udon Thani late April through early May. Will the smoke still be around then?

[terminatorchiangmai]

In the meantime people are still burning anything they can get their hands on.

[elzach]

Why would tourism be affected? The Chinese are coming and seeing the CM smog and to them it looks as a good clear day back in their homeland.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I'm planning on coming to Chang Mai, Luang Prabang and Udon Thani late April through early May. Will the smoke still be around then?

No; it clears in the first or second week of April.

[webfact]

Excessive haze smothers Thai North
By English News

CHIANG MAI, March 21 – Excessive haze pollution has smothered Thailand's northern region, disrupting local transport, with Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son provinces recording the highest level of dust particles.

Excessive smog was clearly observed in Chiang Rai province this morning especially along the Mekong River border between Thailand and neighbouring Lao and Myanmar. Smog has affected river transport as well as reducing highway visibility to less than 100 metres. Many boat operators have been forced to wait until the smog lifts to begin service.

Dust particle levels smaller than 10 microns measured at the Mae Sai District Public Health Office in Chiang Rai was recorded at 244 microgrammes per cubic metre (mg/pcm) of atmosphere, while at Chiang Rai Natural Resources and Environment Office measured at 235 mg/pcm.

Meanwhile, dust particles in Lampang province were recorded at between 132-144 mg/pcm after earlier falling below 120 mg/pcm. Lampang’s Mae Moh district appears to have the highest level of dust particles at 144 mg/pcm, while the provincial seat recorded 141 mg/pcm.

Such poor air quality has started to affect the health of those who are active outdoors.

Thick haze has also smothered the northern resort town of Chiang Mai, prompting official concerned to spray water in the air to reduce the dust particle levels. Chiang Mai residents have also put on masks to prevent respiratory illnesses.

As of now, Chiang Mai’s Disease Prevention and Control Region 10 reports that haze has affected health of up to 60,000 residents of eight upper northern provinces, where dust particle levels have already exceeded the safety level.

Mae Hong Son province recorded highest level of pollution at 257 mg/pcm, followed by Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district at 244 mg/pcm. Haze from illegal burning has blanketed the sky, while the sun is visible to the bare eyes and appears as a red disk. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-21

[laislica]

Excessive haze smothers Thai North

By English News

CHIANG MAI, March 21 Excessive haze pollution has smothered Thailand's northern region, disrupting local transport, with Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son provinces recording the highest level of dust particles.

Excessive smog was clearly observed in Chiang Rai province this morning especially along the Mekong River border between Thailand and neighbouring Lao and Myanmar. Smog has affected river transport as well as reducing highway visibility to less than 100 metres. Many boat operators have been forced to wait until the smog lifts to begin service.

Dust particle levels smaller than 10 microns measured at the Mae Sai District Public Health Office in Chiang Rai was recorded at 244 microgrammes per cubic metre (mg/pcm) of atmosphere, while at Chiang Rai Natural Resources and Environment Office measured at 235 mg/pcm.

Meanwhile, dust particles in Lampang province were recorded at between 132-144 mg/pcm after earlier falling below 120 mg/pcm. Lampangs Mae Moh district appears to have the highest level of dust particles at 144 mg/pcm, while the provincial seat recorded 141 mg/pcm.

Such poor air quality has started to affect the health of those who are active outdoors.

Thick haze has also smothered the northern resort town of Chiang Mai, prompting official concerned to spray water in the air to reduce the dust particle levels. Chiang Mai residents have also put on masks to prevent respiratory illnesses.

As of now, Chiang Mais Disease Prevention and Control Region 10 reports that haze has affected health of up to 60,000 residents of eight upper northern provinces, where dust particle levels have already exceeded the safety level.

Mae Hong Son province recorded highest level of pollution at 257 mg/pcm, followed by Chiang Rais Mae Sai district at 244 mg/pcm. Haze from illegal burning has blanketed the sky, while the sun is visible to the bare eyes and appears as a red disk. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-03-21

Walking in Chiang Mai this morning sightseeing was not nice.

The smoke in the air made our eyes sore and watery.

We retreated to the hotel but even there it was not OK to visit the open air swimming pool.

It is a great shame and as this is now an annual effect it will surely affect tourism.

[dinom]

Every year the same. As a responsible tour operator you can't bring tourists to the north during March an April. Very sad indeed.

Edited March 21, 2014 by dinom

[Ashto]

I'm planning on coming to Chang Mai, Luang Prabang and Udon Thani late April through early May. Will the smoke still be around then?

No; it clears in the first or second week of April.

Thanks much appreciated.

[Asiantravel]

Why would tourism be affected? The Chinese are coming and seeing the CM smog and to them it looks as a good clear day back in their homeland.

It would be interesting to compare Chiang Mai air quality with Paris right now

Last week European Environment Agency (EEA) figures for Thursday showed there was 147 micrograms of particulate matter (PM) per cubic metre of air in Paris — compared with 114 in Brussels, 104 in Amsterdam, 81 in Berlin and 79.7 in London.

http://4thenextgeneration.ca/2014/03/16/paris-under-severe-smog-alert-use-of-cars-is-restricted-34-of-france-under-alert/

[elzach]

Why would tourism be affected? The Chinese are coming and seeing the CM smog and to them it looks as a good clear day back in their homeland.

It would be interesting to compare Chiang Mai air quality with Paris right now

Last week European Environment Agency (EEA) figures for Thursday showed there was 147 micrograms of particulate matter (PM) per cubic metre of air in Paris — compared with 114 in Brussels, 104 in Amsterdam, 81 in Berlin and 79.7 in London.

http://4thenextgeneration.ca/2014/03/16/paris-under-severe-smog-alert-use-of-cars-is-restricted-34-of-france-under-alert/

Yes, and everything is relative. But FYI, and since we're talking about CM tourism, when the PM in certain cities in China drops below 150 micrograms/m3, the Chinese rejoice and go out to enjoy.

[Tokay]

Any day now we'll get a TAT report about a 13% increase in tourism to Chiang Mai despite the smoke.