CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Many provinces in northern Thailand have been blanketed by PM2.5 pollution for 40 consecutive days. The primary cause remains illegal forest burning, particularly within protected forest areas.
Across the region, all 17 northern provinces have recorded nearly 80,000 hotspots within 48 days—34% more than last year. Mae Hong Son ranks highest, with 12,000 hotspots, followed by Chiang Mai with 9,000—double the number recorded during the same period last year.
Residents of Chiang Mai are enduring a deteriorating quality of life, with worsening health symptoms, including chronic coughing, sneezing, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Families with young allergic children find their daily lives to be nothing short of torture.
Authorities are cracking down on illegal forest burning and hunting, with daily arrests reported. The latest arrest took place last night at Pha Daeng National Park in Chiang Mai, where a suspect was apprehended with a motorcycle, a firearm, and over 20 methamphetamine tablets. The suspect is linked to wildfires triggered by illegal hunting activities. Beyond foraging and illegal hunting, the fires are also driven by interest groups encroaching on forest lands and ongoing local conflicts.
The Northern Meteorological Center predicts some rainfall toward the end of this week, which may temporarily alleviate the smog. However, experts warn that if burning continues, pollution levels will spike again. Significant relief is not expected until the southwest monsoon arrives in mid-May, signaling the start of the rainy season. (TNA)
