Tourists visiting the Doi Suthep hilltop in Chiang Mai, Thailand, are increasingly being robbed of the stunning views the location is known for, as heavy air pollution makes the skies hazy. In February, the air quality index in northern Thailand surpassed 200, making it one of the most polluted areas in the world.
Despite the lifting of the COVID-19 masking mandate, many locals continue to wear face masks due to concerns about air pollution. Air quality is typically poor in Thailand from November to February during the dry season, when farmers burn sugarcane fields before harvesting and automobile emissions contribute to the pollution. The north, Bangkok, and surrounding areas are the most severely impacted due to their large agricultural industry.
Despite the lifting of the COVID-19 masking mandate, many locals continue to wear face masks due to concerns about air pollution. Air quality is typically poor in Thailand from November to February during the dry season, when farmers burn sugarcane fields before harvesting and automobile emissions contribute to the pollution. The north, Bangkok, and surrounding areas are the most severely impacted due to their large agricultural industry.
As of the end of January, approximately 380,000 people were confirmed to be experiencing respiratory problems or eye irritation, and the government has deployed cloud-seeding aircraft and installed large air purifiers to tackle the issue. However, these measures are seen as insufficient by experts, and lawmakers have yet to pass any legislative bills to combat the problem due to opposition from businesses that would be affected by tighter regulations.
The delay in automakers meeting Europe's Euro 5 emissions standard for their new cars, which has been pushed back to January 2024, has also contributed to the problem. If air pollution is not addressed soon, it could not only impact public health but also harm the country's tourism industry, which has been identified as a key driver of the economy.
Although Thailand is attempting to promote long-term stays by wealthy visitors and medical tourism to boost the industry's recovery from the pandemic, such campaigns may prove futile as health-conscious individuals are likely to avoid smog-choked cities. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, warns that international tourists may decide to postpone or cancel their visits to the country, or choose alternative destinations with cleaner air, causing damage to the industry.
The delay in automakers meeting Europe's Euro 5 emissions standard for their new cars, which has been pushed back to January 2024, has also contributed to the problem. If air pollution is not addressed soon, it could not only impact public health but also harm the country's tourism industry, which has been identified as a key driver of the economy.
Although Thailand is attempting to promote long-term stays by wealthy visitors and medical tourism to boost the industry's recovery from the pandemic, such campaigns may prove futile as health-conscious individuals are likely to avoid smog-choked cities. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, warns that international tourists may decide to postpone or cancel their visits to the country, or choose alternative destinations with cleaner air, causing damage to the industry.
