Rising smoke from widespread fires in northern Thailand has pushed Chiang Mai to the top of the world’s most polluted cities, with PM2.5 levels classified as “very unhealthy,” according to monitoring group IQAir.
Residents like Tirayut Wongsantisuk, 41, and his wife have seen their children suffer nosebleeds and allergic reactions from the thick haze, prompting them to consider moving temporarily or permanently. “If something bad happens to our child, we’ll feel terrible forever,” Tirayut told the BBC.
The fires, which have created a record 4,750 hotspots across Thailand, are mostly in forested areas. Peak fire season in northern Thailand runs from November to March, driven by farmers burning fields and natural wildfires due to dry conditions.
Local authorities have closed high-risk parks and warned that offenders could face up to 20 years in prison and a 2 million baht ($61,100) fine for illegal forest burning.
Health impacts from the haze include nosebleeds, eye irritation, rashes, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Benjamas Jaiparkan, a teacher in Chiang Mai, has sent her children to neighboring Phayao province for safety and is considering permanent relocation due to her four-year-old son’s nosebleeds.
Residents and activists have sought legal remedies for government inaction. In July 2023, around 1,700 people sued former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and state agencies for failing to curb pollution. In January 2024, a Chiang Mai court ordered the government to implement an emergency air quality plan within 90 days.
The haze is part of a broader regional crisis affecting Southeast Asia, with Malaysia and Indonesia also experiencing their worst fire season in seven years.
