News Forum - Tourism in Chiang Mai may be damaged by air pollution

[Thaiger]

The Northern region of Thailand, especially Chiang Mai, is experiencing a hazardous level of ultra-fine PM2.5 dust particles in the air. This is causing concerns among tourism operators in Chiang Mai that the situation will negatively impact the industry. Pallop Saejiew, the president of Chiang Mai’s Tourism Industrial Council, worries about the long-term effects on the …

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[MPK]

2 hours ago, Thaiger said:

Pallop Saejiew, the president of Chiang Mai’s Tourism Industrial Council, worries about the long-term effects on the province’s tourism industry. Demand has been dropping for outdoor activities and tourist attractions in the inner areas of the province.

Good.  That is the only thing which might make authorities eventually pay attention to this horrible problem

[KaptainRob]

1 hour ago, MPK said:

Good.  That is the only thing which might make authorities eventually pay attention to this horrible problem

Exactly what would you like to see which authorities do?  Cut down all the forests and scrub, perhaps?  

4 months of little or no rain does tend to dry things out and create a fire hazard, just ask Californians or Australians.

Those who examine the problem logically will also note prevailing winds, or lack thereof, mountains, valleys and smoke from other countries all contribute to this annual phenomena. 

[MPK]

6 minutes ago, KaptainRob said:

Exactly what would you like to see which authorities do?  Cut down all the forests and scrub, perhaps?  

4 months of little or no rain does tend to dry things out and create a fire hazard, just ask Californians or Australians.

Those who examine the problem logically will also note prevailing winds, or lack thereof, mountains, valleys and smoke from other countries all contribute to this annual phenomena. 

All naturally occurring fires?  Really??

[KaptainRob]

7 minutes ago, MPK said:

All naturally occurring fires?  Really??

No one is suggesting that.  In the CM region we have a fairly accurate tally of 80% forest to 20% agri/man made fires.

It's the vast forest areas which produce the largest volume of smoke over a long period.

[Eagle]

Quote

For a few months each year, Chiang Mai, northern Thailand’s tourist-friendly cultural hotspot, ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. Chiang Mai’s air pollution is largely attributable to agricultural burning rather than fossil-fuel-related combustion experienced in other global cities.  

https://www.iqair.com/newsroom/thailand-2021-burning-season

Although the above quote is from 2021, from my recent experience of being in and around the area of Chiang Mai/Samoeng I can attest to seeing 'agricultural burning'. As I have mentioned elsewhere on this forum, the air quality is the main reason I am reluctant to commit to staying there long-term.

[Aussieroaming]

We hear the same thing every year about CM and PM 2.5 in general. The filthy fume ridden air in BKK is no better. 

[Pompies]

There is no "may damage tourism" about it because it is definitely damaging tourism. Friends from the US who used to visit for 4 months annually will not return, friends from the UK who built a house here 4 years ago stayed for one month instead of 3-4 months. The list goes on and millions of baht have not come into Chiang Mai is a result. There is no excuse for allowing even one farmer to burn his biomass and there is no excuse for villagers setting deliberate fires in rural and forest areas. But politicians do not have the guts to get to the sources of the problem and therein lies the problem. It will not be solved until the general population rise up in anger and embarass politicians into action, and we all know that this will not occur.

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

On 3/5/2023 at 7:19 PM, Aussieroaming said:

We hear the same thing every year about CM and PM 2.5 in general. The filthy fume ridden air in BKK is no better. 

Least Dyson is doing something ….. 

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/dyson-air-quality-backpacks-set-to-help-australians-breathe-easier-as-breathe-melbourne-study-kicks-off/news-story/8566516bc7b3324ac82fc7c37b5b445b

Though not in Thailand.

[MPK]

"Seeking an economic recovery from the pandemic slump, Thailand has launched a new tourism promotion strategy centering on long-term stays by wealthy visitors and medical tourism. But the success of these campaigns remains uncertain, since their target audience -- health-conscious individuals -- would most certainly try to avoid smog-choked cities."

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Travel-Leisure/Thailand-s-tourism-future-darkened-by-air-pollution?fbclid=IwAR37KwvIcVA8leeROmv36dvv2022TRNiQ6B9eDLfw3KVxHLGiOVLZgQdQ6o

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

On 3/5/2023 at 6:13 PM, KaptainRob said:

It's the vast forest areas which produce the largest volume of smoke over a long period.

And

https://talk.thethaiger.com/topic/22233-news-forum-officials-say-90-of-northern-thailand’s-hotspots-caused-by-human-activity/

where there is smoke there are Thai.

[HolyCowCm]

On 3/5/2023 at 7:25 PM, Pompies said:

There is no "may damage tourism" about it because it is definitely damaging tourism. Friends from the US who used to visit for 4 months annually will not return, friends from the UK who built a house here 4 years ago stayed for one month instead of 3-4 months. The list goes on and millions of baht have not come into Chiang Mai is a result. There is no excuse for allowing even one farmer to burn his biomass and there is no excuse for villagers setting deliberate fires in rural and forest areas. But politicians do not have the guts to get to the sources of the problem and therein lies the problem. It will not be solved until the general population rise up in anger and embarass politicians into action, and we all know that this will not occur.

The last 2 - 3 years were not this bad. But it is certainly up to the OMG stages once again. This is the first time I choose to walk and not run for exercise. Ah, maybe just getting old(er) and just don't want to fully ingest it this year, but it is literally unhealthy crud in the air.