Chiang mai: Chiang Mai continues to suffer from accumulated toxic dust, triggering a surge in illnesses and patient numbers. Several provinces in northern Thailand are still suffering from the smog that has covered the area for weeks, including Chiang Mai, which today ranks second among the world's most polluted cities. The accumulated air pollution is triggering health problems, causing a more than twofold increase in patients compared to normal periods.
According to Thai News Agency, Chiang Mai city remained shrouded in thick smog throughout the morning, obscuring Doi Suthep, the city's iconic landmark for weeks. PM2.5 levels were several times higher than the standard, posing a significant health risk. The CMU CCDC website reported that at 10:00 AM, the highest reading was 808 micrograms per cubic meter at Ban Pang Mayao, Ping Khong Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District, exceeding the standard by more than 20 times. This morning, Chiang Mai ranked second among the world's most polluted cities according to IQAir's ranking.
Meanwhile, the Forward Operating Center of Region 3, responsible for preventing and resolving forest fires, haze, and particulate matter, has been monitoring the situation in 17 northern provinces. This morning, 722 hotspots were detected in the northern region, with the highest number in Chiang Mai (163 points), followed by Mae Hong Son (162 points). The majority (465 points) were located in protected forest areas. Furthermore, particulate matter levels exceeded the standard in 17 provinces.
The Army has deployed MI-17 helicopters to support wildfire suppression operations in the North. These helicopters are stationed at the 7th Infantry Division, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, as part of an aircraft deployment plan. Joint planning will be conducted between the Army, the Air Force (Forward Command), and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to support aerial fire control operations. Firefighting operations have begun in Li District, Lamphun Province, and Hod District, Chiang Mai Province. The Internal Security Operations Command in each province is also coordinating with military units to deploy fogging vehicles to continuously reduce dust pollution.
Dr. Waranyu Chamnongprasatporn, Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Officer, announced the impact of PM2.5 air pollution. Statistics show a 1.5-fold increase in acute respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and nosebleeds among patients at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital compared to normal periods. Furthermore, it has the potential to exacerbate various diseases, including stroke and heart disease. It may also have long-term effects, potentially causing new diseases in healthy individuals if high levels of PM2.5 are continuously inhaled, comparable to the effects of smoking. Doctors recommend avoiding outdoor activities and wearing N95 masks to mitigate the effects of the dust.