Chiang mai: Chiang Mai is currently engulfed in a thick layer of dust and smoke, marking it as the city with the most hazardous air quality worldwide. The haze, primarily resulting from ongoing wildfires, has caused PM2.5 levels to skyrocket to 20 times above the standard, leading to a significant decline in air quality.

According to Thai News Agency, the situation has been exacerbated by illegal forest burning, which has persisted across several districts for days. This has led to smoke drifting into the city's basin, causing discomfort for residents and tourists alike. Visitors at the Doi Suthep viewpoint, eager to capture panoramic views of the city, were met with disappointment as the thick smoke obscured visibility and emitted a strong odor. The local population has reported irritation in their eyes and noses, prompting them to wear face masks and protective glasses, while some have resorted to spraying water in hopes of reducing the smoke's impact.

The severity of the air pollution was underscored by a cell broadcast alert received by residents at 8:23 AM, indicating that PM2.5 levels had surpassed the standard at 87.3 micrograms per cubic meter, posing a health risk. The Climate Change Information Center at Chiang Mai University reported that at 8:00 AM, the highest PM2.5 level was recorded in Chiang Dao district at a staggering 755 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly exceeding the standard of 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter.

The widespread wildfires have resulted in 104 hotspots across the region, with Chiang Dao district accounting for the highest number of reported fires. As of 10:00 AM, data from IQAir's website confirmed that Chiang Mai had the worst air quality globally, with an AOI of 223, indicating severe health implications for the population.