Chiang Mai province has been facing a decline in tourist numbers due to high levels of air pollution, prompting the government and local agencies to coordinate with neighboring countries on plans to reduce hot spots and tackle transboundary haze caused by forest fires and crop burning.
According to the Thai Hotel Association Northern Chapter, hotel bookings in the city have fallen to just 45% occupancy, compared to 80-90% expected ahead of the Thai New Year holidays known as Songkran. The decline in tourism has been attributed to the recent high levels of pollution that have alarmed locals and discouraged visitors.
Air quality information platform IQAir ranked Chiang Mai as the most polluted city globally for several weeks last month, ahead of Lahore and New Delhi. Although the city’s AQI reached 289 in March, measuring the level of inhalable fine particles in the air, it has since decreased to 171. While this is still 19 times over the World Health Organization’s recommended level, the government’s actions are expected to improve the air quality in the future.
The Ministry of Public Health has urged the public to wear masks that can filter particles and avoid outdoor activities in order to protect their health.
Although local residents expressed concern about the negative effects of pollution on their health, they are hopeful that the government’s efforts will soon improve the months-long air quality issues in Chiang Mai and the surrounding provinces. (NNT)
