Chiang mai: Chiang Mai province continues to be shrouded in PM2.5 air pollution, exceeding standards and impacting health for over 40 days. This morning, it ranked as the second most polluted city in the world. Throughout this morning, Chiang Mai remained shrouded in thick smog, obscuring Doi Suthep mountain – a level of pollution seen for weeks. Toxic dust billowed in the air on the streets and in residential areas, forming a white veil of smoke. Although PM2.5 levels have decreased compared to pre-Songkran levels, they remain above the standard, posing a health risk.
According to Thai News Agency, hourly air pollution data from the Climate Change Information Center at Chiang Mai University indicated a red alert across 99 air quality monitoring stations as of 10:00 AM today. The highest level of air pollution was recorded at Ban Doi San Kiang, Chang Khueang Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai, reaching 228 micrograms per cubic meter. The highest hourly air pollution level in Northern Thailand was recorded at Sop Pong Subdistrict, Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son, at 680 micrograms per cubic meter. This is due to the continued detection of numerous hotspots from burning in various areas, with 87 hotspots found in Chiang Mai alone. This makes Chiang Mai the second most polluted city in the world. As of 10:00 AM, the PM2.5 level reached 180 AQI, forcing Chiang Mai residents to endure life in this toxic air pollution, with many experiencing deteriorating health.
P’ Tong, a 40-year-old resident of Chiang Mai, revealed that the toxic dust has disrupted her life. She used to go for her morning walks, but now she has to stop. She experiences shortness of breath, dizziness, and elderly people in her neighborhood are starting to fall ill.
Arm, a 32-year-old delivery rider, described his illness after being exposed to toxic dust for over a month, saying that he spends 8-9 hours a day delivering food and experiences difficulty breathing, fatigue, and bloody noses. He urged those who start forest fires to stop, to think about the majority of people, and to have compassion for their fellow human beings who have to breathe in the toxic dust every day.
Not only humans, but also wildlife is affected by wildfires, which are the source of toxic dust. For example, Boonrod, a wild boar piglet whose face was burned, was taken into the care of Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary officials until its condition stabilized. At Pha Daeng National Park, villagers brought a pangolin, a protected wild animal, to park officials in a weakened state. After care and recovery, the pangolin was released back into its natural habitat in a safe area.