‘My six-year-old has nosebleeds’: Chiang Mai Air Pollution Sparks Health Fears

Tirayut Wongsantisuk and his wife relocated to Chiang Mai in the 2010s, lured by the city’s cool climate and vibrant natural surroundings. However, the deteriorating air quality in the Thai capital, particularly this season, has led them to contemplate moving to safeguard their children’s health.

Smoke from wildfires has blanketed northern Thailand, with Chiang Mai emerging as one of the most polluted cities globally, as reported by IQAir. During BBC Thai’s visit, a dense haze obscured the mountain vistas, leaving a lingering scent of burning in the air. Satellite imagery revealed 4,750 hotspots across the country on Tuesday, concentrated in forested regions.

Health Toll of Hazy Conditions

Chiang Mai’s PM2.5 levels, measuring microscopic particles under 2.5 micrometres, were labeled “very unhealthy” as of Wednesday. The months of November to March typically see heightened fire activity, as farmers clear fields before planting new crops. Natural wildfires also flare up due to dry conditions in forests and farmlands.

“I’ve been thinking, maybe we really should move during this time… because if something bad happens to our child, we’ll feel terrible forever,” Tirayut, 41, told the BBC.

Residents have likened the blazes to “volcanoes erupting,” as per Khaosod news outlet. Authorities recently shut down parks with elevated fire risks, warning that offenders could face immediate arrest. Illegal forest burning can result in up to 20 years in prison and a 2m baht ($61,100; £46,200) fine.

Benjamas Jaiparkan, a public school teacher, has sent her children to Phayao province, where air quality is improved, to stay with relatives. While she plans temporary relocation, she fears permanent departure. Her four-year-old son has experienced nosebleeds since last year, prompting her to worry about his respiratory endurance.

Legal Actions and Regional Impact

Over the years, activists and locals have sued the government for neglecting pollution control. In July 2023, approximately 1,700 Chiang Mai residents filed a case against former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and two state agencies, claiming the haze shortened lives by five years. A January 2024 court ruling mandated an emergency air quality plan within 90 days.

Hazardous haze is not confined to Chiang Mai, affecting areas across Southeast Asia. The region witnessed the highest number of hotspots in seven years, with Malaysia and Indonesia reporting significant flare-ups.