In the midst of the serene mountains and lush forests, Chiang Mai, a jewel of northern Thailand, faces a shadow that lurks in its air—a shadow so minuscule yet so menacing, casting a veil over its breathtaking landscapes. The recent passing of a beloved academic from lung cancer has cast a spotlight on this shadow, igniting concerns over the invisible assailant known as PM2.5 pollution. This microscopic terror, floating unseen in the air, has claimed the vibrant lives of the city’s intellects, painting a somber tone over the academic halls of Chiang Mai University (CMU).
The city was rocked by the news shared on social media by Asst. Prof. Pichaarpa Pisutserani from the political science faculty. She expressed her profound sorrow over the loss of Prof. Rawiwan Olarnratmanee, the esteemed dean of CMU’s architecture faculty. Prof. Rawiwan, an architect of dreams who was recognized for her outstanding contributions with the Council of Deans of Architecture Schools of Thailand Award (2015-2016), represents the most recent casualty in this silent battle against air pollution.
But the tale of loss doesn’t end here. According to Asst. Prof. Pichaarpa, CMU has mourned the loss of three more luminaries to lung cancer since 2022, all eerily linked to the shroud of haze that enwraps the city. The faculty of science bid farewell to Assoc. Prof. Panuwan Chanthawankura in March 2022, and Assoc. Prof. Mongkol Rayanakhon in September of the same year, followed by the faculty of medicine’s Krittai Tanasombatkul in December. Notably, Assoc. Prof. Mongkol, with a legacy as the former dean of the faculty of science, embarked on researching the haze pollution back in 2007, long before PM2.5 became a term of dread among the public.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Chiang Mai Breathe Council stepped forward yesterday, rallying both residents and travelers in the province to armor themselves with precautions against the environmental adversary until the haze retreats. The statement pinpointed a critical surge in PM2.5 levels, with readings soaring past 100 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in three distinct tambons since March 25, painting a scarlet warning across the faces of tambon Hang Dong in Hot district, tambon Muang Na in Chiang Dao district, and tambon Si Phum in Muang district.
The threshold deemed safe falls at a mere 37µg/m³, highlighting the gravity of the situation. This prompted the council to make a clarion call to the government and relevant agencies, urging decisive actions to shield the populace from the haze’s clutches, including the proposition of a work-from-home policy. And if numbers speak volumes, the PM2.5 concentration level reported by IQAir.com, standing at a staggering 22.2 times above the World Health Organization’s benchmark for safety, roars of urgency.
In this battle against an invisible enemy, the losses are palpable, the fear tangible. The call to action rings clear as the Chiang Mai community, and beyond, seeks to reclaim its azure skies and the health of its inhabitants, standing united in the face of adversity. With every breath taken, the resolve strengthens, embodying the spirit of resilience and hope – for clearer skies and brighter tomorrows.
This is absolutely devastating. Chiang Mai is such a beautiful place, and to hear that air pollution is claiming lives, especially among academics, is heartbreaking. It’s not just an environmental issue; it’s a public health crisis!
Totally agree! It’s high time governments around the world treat air pollution as a health emergency. These particles are silent killers and the tragic losses in Chiang Mai highlight just how serious this is.
Exactly! And it’s not just in Thailand. Many countries are facing similar issues but it doesn’t seem like enough is being done. International collaboration could be key here.
But isn’t it also on the residents and businesses to ensure they’re not contributing to the problem? Government action is necessary, but local actions matter too.
Reading this just breaks my heart. 😢 How many more have to suffer before real change happens?
Change starts with awareness and action from every single one of us. It’s not just a job for the authorities, but for the entire global community.
I find this deeply troubling. Not only is the air pollution affecting people’s health, but considering Chiang Mai’s rich biodiversity, this could have catastrophic effects on local wildlife and plant species.
Absolutely, the ecological impact is something that isn’t talked about enough. Air pollution doesn’t just stop with humans; it affects every living being.
Does anyone know what’s causing such high levels of PM2.5 in Chiang Mai? Is it the traffic, factories, or something else?
A lot of it comes from agricultural burning practices in the region, combined with vehicular emissions and some industrial pollution. It’s a complex issue with no single source to blame.
That makes a lot of sense, thanks. It sounds like a multifaceted problem that will require a comprehensive approach to solve.
Why isn’t there more urgency from the government on this? The haze crisis has been an annual issue, and yet, decisive action seems lacking. Work-from-home policies are a start, but we need systemic changes.
While I agree that government response could be more robust, it’s important to acknowledge the complexity of implementing widespread environmental policies. It’s not as straightforward as it seems.
Complex, yes, but not impossible. Other countries have taken bold steps to combat air pollution; it’s about political will as much as it is about practicality.
Has anyone considered the role of technology in monitoring and reducing air pollution? There are so many innovative solutions out there that could make a real difference.
This is especially concerning for travelers. Chiang Mai is such a popular tourist spot – the government should prioritize fixing this to protect both locals and visitors.
The health impacts of PM2.5 are no joke. Lung cancer is just the tip of the iceberg. This should be a wake-up call for everyone to take air quality seriously.
This is what the results of an Operation Genocide looks like.
CMU’s Prof. Panuwan’s short lived life, and the lives of thousands of Thai people, and the thousands of foreigners, who are either migrants (for work or from war) or who pay to come to visit Thailand by the droves on a “holi-day, with their clean lungs in tact, Will suffer. You even have senile expats based in chiang mai for eons telling others that the air quality is “not that bad”, go ahead, come and bring the kids. Ritualized murder aka Operation Genocide seeks to profit off your life essence. Humans and animals in Chiang mai are being sacrificed, and they will used to collect a handout, so that it will land in the pockets of the few. “Useless eaters” must be done away with, so why not make the illusion more complex than it is, and blame something Far, Far away, as you drive by the forest and your neighbor’s plantation on fire.
Nothing will be done, and it’s as if they have to be violently stopped from weaponizing toxins environmentally against all of humanity. Her life was wasted. No outrage. No changes in air quality aside from it getting increasingly worse. If only the toxins could be precise to enter the lungs of those who should enforce active change. It can happen overnight, but look at where Chiang Mai rests still obscured with Cancer Air, how fitting.
Others travel to Europe to be able to fill out paper work in a controlled environment, a hospice-like space, where they are gently guided to reduce the light of their life on Earth, by their will and choice, and without impacting millions of others. In Thailand as a whole, and specifically in Chiang Mai, you have NO choice. You all will be impacted, infected, lungs sliced by carcinogens, children gasping for air as their young + strong lungs are splintered. NOTHING will be done. You will be euthanized painfully slow, did you bring your children in tow, wonderful. Enjoy the soft power of Lung Slicing as the Thai New Year will bring more of the same.
They will scratch their heads as if confused by why there is commotion and haphazardly try to use a “rain making machine” or garden water sprinklers to menacingly demonstrate their true hatred + contempt at humanity. Save their face, take 5000 baht and a wai for your life. Thad’s good enough for you. Their ineffective and lazy bureaucracy is weaponized to ensure the problems fester longer, because Someone IS benefiting, and your lives, demonstrated by their inaction is worthless.
Perhaps their interpretation of Buddha’s precepts is to Kill Billions, rinse and repeat, merit making in progress
This is what the results of an Operation Genocide looks like.
CMU’s Prof. Panuwan’s short lived life, and the lives of thousands of Thai people, and the thousands of foreigners, who are either migrants (for work or from war) or who pay to come to visit Thailand by the droves on a “holi-day, with their clean lungs in tact, Will suffer. You even have senile expats based in chiang mai for eons telling others that the air quality is “not that bad”, go ahead, come and bring the kids. Ritualized murder aka Operation Genocide seeks to profit off your life essence. Humans and animals in Chiang mai are being sacrificed, and they will used to collect a handout, so that it will land in the pockets of the few. “Useless eaters” must be done away with, so why not make the illusion more complex than it is, and blame something Far, Far away, as you drive by the forest and your neighbor’s plantation on fire.
Nothing will be done, and it’s as if they have to be violently stopped from weaponizing toxins environmentally against all of humanity. Her life was wasted. No outrage. No changes in air quality aside from it getting increasingly worse. If only the toxins could be precise to enter the lungs of those who should enforce active change. It can happen overnight, but look at where Chiang Mai rests still obscured with Cancer Air, how fitting.
Others travel to Europe to be able to fill out paper work in a controlled environment, a hospice-like space, where they are gently guided to reduce the light of their life on Earth, by their will and choice, and without impacting millions of others. In Thailand as a whole, and specifically in Chiang Mai, you have NO choice. You all will be impacted, infected, lungs sliced by carcinogens, children gasping for air as their young + strong lungs are splintered. NOTHING will be done. You will be euthanized painfully slow, did you bring your children in tow, wonderful. Enjoy the soft power of Lung Slicing as the Thai New Year will bring more of the same.
They will scratch their heads as if confused by why there is commotion and haphazardly try to use a “rain making machine” or garden water sprinklers to menacingly demonstrate their true hatred + contempt at humanity. Save their face, take 5000 baht and a wai for your life. Thad’s good enough for you. Their ineffective and lazy bureaucracy is weaponized to ensure the problems fester longer, because Someone IS benefiting, and your lives, demonstrated by their inaction is worthless.
Perhaps their interpretation of Buddha’s precepts is to Kill Billions, rinse and repeat, merit making in progress