Chiang Mai smog casts pall over businesses

Thailand’s northern region has been hit with toxic levels of air pollution due to forest fires on Wednesday, especially in the Chiang Mai province, with some areas being engulfed in air quality levels 12 times above safe levels.

La-Iad Bungsrithong, president of the Thai Hotels Association northern chapter, told TTG Asia: “The fires are very severe this year and burning on Doi Suthep mountain, which is inside the city of Chiang Mai, making it a huge issue.”

She added that the poor air quality matters less now that everyone is forced to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic, but stressed that when it comes to forest fires, the problem extends beyond Chiang Mai to other provinces.

“It doesn’t just affect Chiang Mai’s 25 districts. All our neighbouring provinces are fighting the same issue. As Chiang Mai is nestled in a valley, coupled with the dry air quality this year and fires burning within city limits, it’s created a more extreme hotspot than usual. But the fires have now been brought under control.”

MMP