North province among the world’s most polluted locations suddenly
PUBLISHED: 1 Apr 2025 at 18: 31
Chiang Mai is struggling with serious air pollution as fires continue to spread across many districts, with over 150 hotspots detected.
Wildfires continued to burn on Tuesday in rocky places in the northern state, with 150 effective areas across 15 regions. The hardest-hit towns include Warm with 34 areas, Chiang Dao with 26 and Phrao with 23.
Heavy smoke continued to cover the city — the world’s third most poisoned as of Tuesday morning — causing eye and mouth irritation among residents.
IQAir said Chiang Mai had a PM2.5 fine sand intensity of 170 microgrammes per square inch (µg/m³ ), far above the safety level at 34.7 μg/m3.
Waste levels remain dangerously high, prompting local authorities to stimulate fountains and apply water-spraying vehicles along the ancient town moat to increase moisture and lessen the haze, especially in densely populated areas.
Data from the Climate Change Data Center at Chiang Mai University showed disturbing PM2.5 levels in many places on Tuesday night. In Chiang Dao city, PM2.5 levels reached 240 µg/m³.
In Mae Hong Son, however, a flame near Ban Mae Sa Pe Tai, a town in Khun Yuam neighborhood, had been brought under control, said Pornthep Charoensuebsakul, chairman of Protected Areas Regional Office 16.
The victory was attributed to nearer participation between the office, the Area 3 Forest Fire Control Centre and the Royal Thai Air Force.
An air pressure BT-67 plane, guided by the forest fire command center, conducted two planes on Monday, releasing 6, 000 litres of water over the burning places.
Earth support teams coordinated with aircraft via stereo, ensuring appropriate water drops. According to impenetrable terrain, flying firefighting remains a vital technique in tackling fire in Mae Hong Son.
Ekkawit Meepian, the state’s chancellor, has integrated tools, including planes from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and BT-67 plane from Phitsanulok, to fight the wildfires until the condition improves.
Despite the latest victory, Mr Pornthep stressed the need for long-term teamwork between government agencies, private organisations and the public to avoid forest and agricultural using and promote green conservation efforts to safeguard northeastern Thailand from future waste crises.