Imagine waking up in the picturesque city of Chiang Mai, where the scenic beauty of northern Thailand usually takes your breath away. Unfortunately, in recent times, it’s not just the stunning views leaving folks breathless; it’s the air quality. The enchanting city, celebrated for its rich history and vibrant culture, has recently found itself grappling with an air pollution crisis that shows no signs of clearing up. Ranked among the top five cities worldwide for the worst air pollution levels, the situation in Chiang Mai has become a pressing concern.
As the morning light breaks, IQAir.com’s air quality monitor reveals a sobering truth – Chiang Mai stands as the fifth most polluted city globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 186 at the crack of dawn. The haze hanging over the city is thick with PM2.5 particles, measuring a staggering 154.9 microgrammes per cubic metre. This figure astonishingly surpasses the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality guidelines by over 24 times, painting a grim picture of the air that envelops the city and its inhabitants.
The local scholars at Chiang Mai University’s Climate Change Data Centre provide even more concerning data, pinpointing tambon Ping Khong in Chiang Dao district as the epicenter of this pollution crisis. Here, the PM2.5 levels have skyrocketed to an alarming 603 µg/m³. Indeed, the smog knows no bounds, with the Pollution Control Department (PCD) reporting that virtually every corner of Chiang Mai is enveloped in red-level pollution, a stark indicator of the air’s harmful quality.
Not too far from the crisis in Chiang Mai, Phayao, a charming province, played host to a mobile cabinet meeting. Here, too, the shadow of pollution looms large, with red-level pollution readings of 99.6 µg/m³ raising eyebrows. A morning downpour at Phayao University, the meeting venue, prompted discussions on the pollution. Yet, amidst inquiries, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Pol Gen Phatcharavat Wongsuwan offered a hopeful note, suggesting no pollution in Phayao, an optimism echoed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. After enjoying breakfast at the serene Kwan Phayao Lakeside, the Prime Minister also noted an improvement in pollution levels, thanks to the rain.
The situation takes a dire turn in Mae Hong Son, where wildfires in the upper region have exacerbated the pollution crisis. The Doi Kong Mu Stupa, a revered site, now stands amid air polluted with PM2.5 levels reaching a hazardous 675 µg/m³. This severe condition has prompted warnings from Chiang Mai University’s Research Institute for Health Sciences, urging residents and visitors to avoid outdoor activities. The impact is palpable among the populace, with the Faculty of Medicine’s Otolaryngology Department reporting a twofold increase in patients suffering from abnormal nosebleeds since February’s outset.
In the realm of silver linings, the Northern Meteorological Centre brings a glimmer of hope, forecasting rain for the region in the coming days. This much-anticipated rainfall bears the promise of easing the pollution levels that have held the region in a chokehold. It’s a waiting game now, with residents and authorities alike holding their breath for a respite that will wash away the pollutants and restore the region’s natural beauty and air quality.
In this tale of beauty and the haze, Chiang Mai and its neighboring provinces stand at a crossroads. The unfolding crisis serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our environment and the urgent need for concerted efforts to safeguard the air we breathe. As northern Thailand grapples with this challenge, the global community watches and learns, hoping for a future where the air in our beloved cities no longer poses a threat to the health of its inhabitants and the allure of its landscapes.
