“`
On a recent aerial journey above the lush landscapes of Chiang Mai, officials were greeted with an unwelcome sight – plumes of smoke, signaling the presence of a forest fire, spiraling into the sky, a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the region. This distressing discovery, captured through the lens of Panumet Tanraksa’s camera, paints a vivid picture of a serene paradise under siege. (Photo supplied/Panumet Tanraksa)
In the heart of Thailand’s northern jewel, Chiang Mai, an alarming haze has thickened the air, casting a shadow over the city’s historic temples and bustling street markets. On Tuesday, the situation escalated as the provincial capital earned the dubious honor of topping the list of the world’s 10 most polluted cities. This environmental crisis wasn’t the work of an overnight disaster but the culmination of forest fires that have been relentless for approximately two weeks.
Drawing on the sophisticated observation tools of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), Monday’s survey uncovered 1,420 hotspots of intense heat across the region, with 193 igniting the landscape of Chiang Mai itself. These hotspots were strategically mapped out across various terrains – 490 in forest conservation areas, 375 nestled within forest reserves, 237 amid agricultural fields, 186 sprawling across land reform areas, and an assorted collection scattered throughout community zones. This fiery plight wasn’t unique to Thailand, as neighboring countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, too, reported their fair share of hotspots, painting a grim picture of a regional environmental challenge.
Chiang Mai’s struggle with forest fires is storied, with flames engulfing iconic natural reserves such as Ob Luang National Park, Ob Tho, Mae Chaem, Ob Khan, and the revered Doi Suthep-Pui. The winds, as if in conspiracy with the flames, waft the smoke and dust toward urban sprawls, aggravating the haze problem and leaving the city’s inhabitants gasping for breath.
In a spirited response to this fiery onslaught, Kritsayam Khongsatree, the stalwart director of the 16th Conservation Management Office, marshaled resources to quell the blaze in Ob Luang, situated in the Hot district. With a tone of resolve, he cautioned against the dire consequences awaiting those who dare to ignite the forests, as five new hotspots emerged, underscoring the ongoing battle against the flames that have ravaged the province for over a fortnight.
The night was alight with the efforts of more than 220 dedicated officials, who, on Monday night, descended upon Doi Pha Dam in Ob Luang National Park. Their mission: to combat a fire that has consumed approximately 220 rai since its inception on February 22, a narrative of destruction shared by Mr. Kritsayam.
Diving deeper into the origins of these blazes, Chiang Mai’s deputy governor, Tosapon Puanudom, shed light on a disheartening reality – the hand of man is largely to blame. Despite the earnest efforts to extinguish these fires, financial constraints and bureaucratic red tape have stifled progress. With the responsibility of forest fire management now resting on the shoulders of local administrative entities, the path to recovery is fraught with challenges, compounded by a scarcity of funds and the absence of rain.
In a move to combat the transboundary haze issue head-on, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called upon the powers of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. His directive: to forge a team destined to collaborate with Cambodia in a joint effort to clear the air. The baton was passed to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which wasted no time in engaging with the Cambodian government, laying the groundwork for a cooperative venture aimed at eliminating hotspots.
As dawn broke over the horizon yesterday, the air quality monitors painted a grim picture. Seven northern provinces were swathed in a haze so thick, so perilous, that the levels of PM2.5 pollutants soared between 92.7 µg/m³ to 75.7 µg/m³, numbers that scream danger to inhabitants and the natural wonders that make this region a place of unparalleled beauty.
In the midst of these trials by fire, the spirit of Chiang Mai and its guardians remains unbroken, a testament to the resilience and dedication of those committed to preserving the beauty and health of Thailand’s northern paradise.
It’s heartbreaking to see another beautiful place succumb to environmental destruction. We’ve seen this pattern globally, and immediate action is needed to address climate change and human negligence that contribute to these disasters.
While I share your concern for the environment, blaming climate change for everything simplifies the issue too much. It’s more about poor land management and policy failures. Yes, climate change is a factor, but local actions matter more in these cases.
How many times do we need to see headlines like this before real change happens? It’s always ‘calls for action’ but little seems to change on the ground.
Because talking is easier than doing. Real change requires investment and sacrifice, something not many are willing to commit to.
Agreed. It’s frustrating to see. But how do we move from talking to actually doing? There has to be a way to make governments and corporations listen.
Can we talk about the effect on wildlife? These fires destroy habitats, and the impact on biodiversity is catastrophic. There’s less and less space for our wildlife every year.
It’s a tragedy, indeed. I wonder if there’s more tech could do to prevent these fires or at least mitigate the damage. We’re living in the 21st century; there should be solutions available.
There’s promising research in early fire detection using AI and drones for real-time monitoring. The challenge is implementing these technologies on a large scale and ensuring they’re used efficiently.
As someone living in the region, it’s a nightmare. Every year, it’s the same situation, and it feels like we’re not being heard. We need help, and we need it now.
It’s a sad reality for many around the world. International cooperation is essential in tackling such issues. You’re not alone, and I hope global awareness brings about the help and change needed.
Absolutely! Environmental issues know no borders. We should pressure our governments to work together and support regions like Chiang Mai. Social media campaigns, petitions, and global forums could help in amplifying the call for action.
The key here is twofold: prevention and response. We need better policies to manage forests and prevent fires, and more efficient, better-funded responses when they do occur. This is a solvable problem if the will is there.
Policies are great on paper, but enforcement is where it falls apart. Corruption, lack of resources, and bureaucratic inertia have crippled many well-intentioned initiatives.
True, enforcement is a major obstacle. But public pressure and international support can help overcome these challenges. It’s about building the right incentives and holding officials accountable.
This is just another article that will fade into the noise. We read, we’re shocked, and then we move on. How do we break this cycle and create lasting engagement and concern?
Education and sustained advocacy are key. We need to keep these stories in the public eye, not just as news, but as calls to action. Schools, communities, and media play a huge role in this.