Thread: Northern Thailand Continues to Choke in Hazardous Haze

CHIANG RAI – Northern Thailand has been blanked by hazardous dust recently leading to the hospitalization of many seniors and children suffering from breathing problems.


The PM 2.5 pollutants in the region have reached extremely hazardous levels for almost a month. The PM 2.5 readings in the north stood at 76 to more than 300 micrograms per cubic meter. The maximum safe threshold is 59 micrograms per cubic meter.


The worst reading of air quality recorded in Chiang Rai was in Mae Sai Friday. The air quality index of the province stood at 300+ which, roughly translated, means “sensitive groups such as children, older people and asthmatics should stay indoors.”


Any AQI over 100 is dangerous to health, according to the Pollution Control Department, which maintains a website with information from around the country.


Much of northern Thailand and as far south as Saraburi lay under a heavy blanket of haze and smoke Monday from hundreds of fires, mostly set on purpose by farmers in Thailand and Myanmar.


In terms of PM2.5 pollution – airborne particulates 2.5 microns or less in diameter – the Pollution Control Department reported at 9am on Monday that the levels in nine northern provinces ranged from 66-266 micrograms per cubic metre of air.


Worst off were Chiang Rai’s Tambon Wiang Phang Kham, Mae Sai district (355AQI) and Wiang in Muang district (315 AQI).


Dr Srinapan Phongpan of Phayao Hospital in Phayao, where PM2.5 was measured at 164, said there was a clear connection between the haze and the rising number of people seeking medical help.


People with heart and coronary disease, respiratory disorders and inflamed skin and eyes should be extra careful and see a doctor if their ailments worsened, she said.

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/north...dous-haze.html

We took the grand kids up to Doi Patang the other day. The air was a bit clearer up there but there were plenty of fires on the Lao side of the ridge but also at least a dozen or more on the Thai side.
As we were coming back down we stopped to get a drink and there, in the little bar were half a dozen rangers with their SLRs.
My wife listened into their conversation and "Yes" they were there to search out and stop illegal fires.
Unfortunately, however, they considered it too hot to go out and investigate so preferred to stay in the air conditioned bar.

There was a bit of rain about CM last night. Didn't do much though.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

In Khon Kaen they had predicted rain for last Sunday, then when I checked the weather on the same website, they had moved rain to Wednesday at 80% chance, it is now Wednesday morning, not a hint of rain so far. I came here a few weeks ago, my house has a large opened tiled area, I sweep it every morning, a few hrs later there are litle black ashes all over the place, and I live 10 min from the Central Plaza mall. Since I came back to Thailand I have not seen blue sky.
My MIL who is on dialysis has being to the doctors three times, first an ear infection, then eye infection, now she went in with a lung infection, she is diagnosed with emphysema probably caused by all the smoke.
You know what they say "when the going gets tough, the Tough get going, so here I go!
Sunday I am going back to my Florida home where the Sky is Blue. See you in a few months, by that time hopefully the rains will return and hopefully wash away all this smoke.

I hope you're talking the MiL....