Pollution choking northern Thailand hits tourism in Chiang Mai, worries public

CHIANG MAI - High pollution levels in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai and surrounding provinces are keeping tourists away and alarming locals, with the government on Monday (April 10) urging residents to avoid outdoor activities.

For several weeks last month, the city topped air quality information platform IQAir's global chart for poor air quality, ahead of South Asian cities Lahore and New Delhi.

Chiang Mai, known for its scenic mountainous views, temples and chic cafes, received 10.8 million visitors in pre-pandemic 2019, but hotel bookings in the city have dropped to 45 per cent occupancy, the Thai Hotel Association Northern Chapter president Phunut Thanalaopanich told Reuters on Monday.

That is far short of the 80 per cent to 90 per cent expected ahead of this week's Thai New Year holidays, known as Songkran.

"It has impacted my business. People aren't coming, (they) can't see the view," said Mr Sunat Insao, 53, who sells orange juice.

Addressing the deteriorating air quality in the north, Thailand's health ministry urged the public on Monday to avoid outdoor activities and wear masks that can filter particles.

Chang Mai, Thailand's third-biggest city, reached 289 on IQAir's air quality index (AQI) index in March, which measures the level of inhalable fine particles in the air.

On Monday, it had eased to 171, but was still 19 times over the World Health Organisation's recommended level.

"You can feel (the dust) in your face. I clean my face, I see the pad and I was like, this is really, really dirty," said Mr Fernanda Gonzalez, 27, who was visiting from Mexico.

Authorities have blamed a combination of forest fires and crop burning in Thailand and its neighbouring countries.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said last week he was coordinating with Laos and Myanmar to reduce hot spots in the border area to curb transboundary haze.

Chiang Mai resident Pathsharasakon Po, 36, said she was concerned about allergies, or even cancer.

"It's getting worse and worse year by year," she said.

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