Bejing, Delhi, and Dhaka are well known as the world’s most polluted cities. But Chiang Mai, the tourist town in northern Thailand has recently recorded some of the worst air quality in the world. 

By Sophia Thomas 

“It burns my throat, nose, and face,” said Meu, an Indigenous Karen Tribe woman who works as a housekeeper in the lowlands of Chiang Mai to support her family. 

Meu is talking about the symptoms she and 1.2 million other residents in Chiang Mai and the surrounding highlands have experienced every day for the last five months straight, with each year getting progressively worse. 

‘Mog khawn’ season refers to the increase in air pollution from January to May. Meu’s home would often peak with an air quality index of 199 on IQAIR, 30 times over the WHO’s annual air quality guideline values. 

Unlike the other hill tribes who work and live in wooden straw houses in the mountains, Meu is considered lucky to work for businessman Tawan Srisuk in a well-structured home with air conditioning, air purifiers, and proper ventilation. 

“It’s easier but I still have to wear masks when I leave the house,” she said. 

Sometimes her symptoms would develop beyond burning sensations and she would have to visit the hospital. 

“I’m scared,” she said, “when it gets worse, I go see a doctor and that costs 30 baht [1.23 AUD] each visit.” 

Chiang Mai University Associate Professor and Pediatric Allergist Dr Mongkol Lao-Araya stated that exposure to air pollution causes body inflammations, changes in DNA, and increased chances of cancer beyond acute symptoms. 

“It causes inflammation of the respiratory system,” Dr Mongkol said, “It also causes long term changes in the DNA and increases the chances of cancer in every organ in the body.” 

He further stated Hill Tribes are among the riskiest groups affected by air pollution due to their lack of education, facilities, and income.  

“People who don’t have access to it, whether it’s people who live in the mountains or the countryside, because of the income difference in Thailand, they have no idea how serious the problem is and are at greater risks,” he said. 

He further referenced his recent research paper on air pollution. He said his findings suggest everyone is at risk as it affects their daily lives.   
 
“We found that it actually affects everyone,” he said, “It affects their daily lives, how they breathe, and the activities that they do.” 
 
Tawan, who has been local to Chiang Mai for 20 years, shared his experience with air pollution and reminisced about how Chaing Mai’s air used to be cleaner.  
 
“It burns my throat a lot,” Tawan said, “Chiang Mai’s air has gotten worse compared to twenty years ago.” 
 
Tawan further explained, in agreement with Meu, that Hill Tribes contributed significantly to the increase in air pollution by burning land after agricultural harvest.   
 
“They burn the land after they harvest, and it makes the air worse,” he said. 
 
“Most people blame them, but you can’t because it’s the only way they could make an income,” he said, “Plus, there are other contributors to it.” 
 
Pollution Control Department (PCD) officer Julalux Boonpaksa said the increase in air pollution is not limited to Chiang Mai but nationwide and is a combination of agricultural practices, transboundary pollution from neighbouring countries, vehicular emissions, and industrial discharges. 
 
She further stated the PCD is consistently collecting data to create measures and policies with ministries to aid the crisis, one of which is land-burning prevention.   
 
“We have officers who monitor different points of the forest to prevent people from burning,” Julalux said. 
 
 
She further stated that the air pollution has improved compared to previous years and urged residents to use AIR4THAI, an application for monitoring air quality using PDC data.   
 
“We haven’t finished collecting this year’s data yet, but in comparison to previous years, the air pollution has gotten better,” she said, “we ask everyone to use AIR4THAI to monitor the situation.” 

Over 500,000 people downloaded the application, which means the government acknowledges the significance of air pollution and its health ramifications. The application tracks air pollution nationwide, which means it’s not only happening in Chiang Mai. 

 
Safety Office from Chachoengsao, Nipawan Boonkasem, said she is also affected by the air pollution and is worried about the health of her loved ones and asks the government to do more.  

“I just wished the government is doing more to help us,” Nipawan said.  

According to the PCD, the government has recently increased oil production to meet the Euro5 standard, which reduces fuel oil production and lessens air pollution. 

Despite this, according to Dr Mongkol, Chaing Mai is still a safe city in the remaining months and is worth travelling to with precautions.    

ENDS.

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