CHIANG MAI, Thailand: Chiang Mai, a beloved tourist destination in Thailand, grapples with hazardous smog, leaving residents and visitors struggling to breathe in the usually picturesque city.
According to air monitoring website IQAir, Chiang Mai ranks as the world’s most polluted city due to elevated levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 pollutants, exceeding the WHO’s annual guideline by more than 35 times.
Local residents like Kamol, an orange seller at Warorot Market, express concern over the severity of the pollution, resorting to masks originally used during the Covid pandemic for protection.
The city’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, wears a face mask while visiting the market, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Pollution spikes in Chiang Mai during the early months of the year, attributed to crop burning, forest fires, and vehicle emissions. Despite government initiatives like the Clean Air Act, residents feel neglected and report health concerns.
Sariya, a local resident, emphasizes the challenges of living in a city surrounded by hills, exacerbating the smog problem.
While pollution has impacted tourism in the past, tourists like Andy from China and Guillaume from France remain unfazed, continuing to explore the city despite the hazardous air quality.
Efforts to combat pollution require concerted action from both government and community stakeholders to safeguard public health and preserve Chiang Mai’s appeal as a tourist destination.
