In the enchanting land of Chiang Mai, where lush landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, a team of intrepid park rangers aren’t just soaking in the picturesque views. On a bustling Monday, these guardians of nature rose to the occasion, battling a blazing forest fire, their silhouettes framed against a backdrop of towering flames and a turquoise sky. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)
Fast forward to Tuesday morning, the mystical North and portions of the tranquil upper northeastern provinces of Thailand came under an unexpected veil—not of mist, but of ultrafine dust. According to the diligent number-crunchers at the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), these airborne particulates, PM2.5 in technical parlance, were playing hide-and-seek across the skies.
Picture this: in the wee hours at 8am, Gistda’s meteorological detectives unveiled a tale of three provinces—Phrae, Lampang, and Lamphun—wrapped snugly in ‘red levels’ of PM2.5, a state deemed hazardous to health. Phrae, it seemed, had won a not-so-coveted title, with a reading of 85.6 micrograms per cubic metre. Not far behind, Lampang and Lamphun posted levels of 81.8 and 76.3, respectively. To put this into perspective, the safe benchmark stands at a mere 37.5.
As the story further unfolded, twelve additional provinces cosied up to ‘orange levels,’ a stage where the air started to nudge health with a reminder warning. These dust concentrations ranged from 42.1 to 74.5, stretching across a ring of geographies like Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, all the way to Tak and Chiang Rai. Not to forget, the fresh face of the Northeast joined this atmospheric soiree with Loei and Nong Bua Lam Phu making an appearance.
Yet, amidst this cloudy chaos, there was a silver lining. Gazing across the map of Thailand, sixty-one provinces including the ever-vibrant capital, Bangkok, enjoyed air quality that danced between moderate, good, and even exceptionally good. The capital aligned with 29 other provinces basking in an ambiance of health-friendly air. Names like Chanthaburi and Rayong echoed through the crisp breeze, breathing easy and clear.
Dive a little deeper, and eighteen provinces became paragons of purity with PM2.5 levels that barely made a dent, hovering between 7.4 to 14.5. From Yala’s sun-dappled streets to the serene shores of Pattani, the air quality was nothing short of celestial. Other provinces like Krabi and the iconic Phuket joined this blissful brigade, their skies painted in vibrant hues akin to a master artist’s canvas, whispering promises of fresh breaths and deep, untroubled sighs.
And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon on this unpredictable day, the tapestry of air quality across Thailand told a story of resilience and hope—a narrative epitomized by the unyielding spirit of park rangers, researchers, and everyday folk determined to safeguard their homeland under turquoise skies amid the dance of the ultrafine dust.
The situation sounds dire! Why isn’t the government taking stronger action to prevent these forest fires in the first place?
Sara, it’s not as simple as you think. These are natural occurrences exacerbated by climate change.
But isn’t it the government’s job to prepare for these things? They can’t just wait for things to go wrong.
Sometimes humans start these fires, either intentionally or by accident. It’s not always Mother Nature or the government at fault.
I visited Chiang Mai last year, and I feel so bad for the people there. The air quality was pretty bad even then!
Why aren’t there stricter regulations on emissions? It’s not just about the fires.
Tighter regulations might impact the economy negatively. We need a balanced approach. What do you suggest greenPeace?
How about investing in green tech and transition jobs?
Isn’t 85.6 micrograms actually insanely dangerous? People should be staying indoors with those levels.
Absolutely, Tony! It’s really harmful especially to kids and the elderly. More awareness campaigns are needed.
I hope local NGOs are stepping up. Sometimes they can be more effective than the government.
What about tourism? This will definitely impact it given how many people visit Chiang Mai for its nature.
It’s a real concern. Tourism is a huge part of their economy, and poor air quality could heavily impact it.
Maybe this is an opportunity to shift towards more sustainable tourism models?
It’s absurd how Bangkok gets to enjoy good air and the north doesn’t. Feels like another example of inequality.
Larry, it’s all about the industrial concentration and weather patterns. It’s not so straightforward.
True, but more should be done to help those affected areas rather than just discussing weather.
I pray the rangers are safe. Their job is so dangerous yet so undervalued! They deserve more credit.
Amen to that, Anita! They are the unsung heroes in this battle against nature.
I wish more media coverage focused on them. They’re true guardians of the forest.
Amazing article, but it seems to downplay the health impact. People should know the risks.
The air quality in southern Thailand serves as a contrast to the north. What makes such a significant difference?
It’s a mix of geographical, climatic, and human factors. The south has more winds dispersing pollutants, plus less industry density.
Interesting! Understanding these factors is key to crafting effective policies.
All this talk about PM2.5 makes me wonder what’s the government doing about alternative fuel sources?
I don’t get it, if the air is good in 61 provinces, why not just emulate their practices in the rest of Thailand?
Ava, every region has different challenges and solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all.
True, but more sharing of successful strategies could help!