Mar 15 2012
North Thai haze update, March 15, 2012
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The haze enveloping much of northern Thailand has largely dissipated with some Wednesday night storms clearing the air. Light showers in the Chiang Mai region on the night of the 11th to 12th was a good start to getting rid of the haze but quite fierce storms with high winds and heavier rain on the night of the 14th led to a substantial improvement in air quality. In fact, the high winds did actually cause some damage in certain areas — our office sign blew off the wall in Chiang Mai — but we reckon most people would consider that a small price to pay.
Fallen tree in Nimmanhemin.
Compare the photo below with that taken a week ago; okay the skies are still not crystal clear, and don’t expect them to be so until the rains start in earnest — usually towards the end of April/May — but it is a vast improvement. You can now walk around Chiang Mai city without getting a sore throat or red eyes and while we still advise some caution for further north and are aware that conditions can change pretty rapidly, at present the city and surrounding areas do not present any particular problems.
Not great, but better than the below, which was taken five days ago.
Before the rain.
Chiang Mai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Tak, Lampang, Lamphun and even Chiang Rai have all improved, though conditions in all parts of Mae Hong Son province, which hasn’t received any rain, remain at present critical. Hopefully further forecast storms may hit the latter province soon and with luck (or government cloud-seeding efforts), some more showers will occur across the region.
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Tags: haze, Mae Hong Son
Update: 19th March
Haze is back, Doi Suthep has disappeared.
PM10 is over 200! (EU safety standard is 50)
Yes back with a vengeance isn’t it!? Big fire up near Huay Tung Tao which is either army or national park land!
Hello..we were planning to be in Chiang Mai on Sunday and Monday 25-26. Should we stay away from Chiang Mai? We will of course loose our money on the hotel, train tickets and flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Haze is one thing but reports of dangerous dust and people having eye and breathing problems does not sound all that great…?
Difficult call I’m afraid Mike. Yes the smog/smoke is back with a vengeance but all it needs is a decent shower to clear the air. Storms have been forecast for the North over the next day or 2 but how reliable weather forecasts are…well!? At present it’s certainly not great for trekking, mountain views or long bike rides in the hills but is ok for pottering around the town. Sorry can’t be more helpful. Cheers.
@ Mark. Thanks for the info! I appreciate your response because trying to decipher the few news articles out there makes it difficult to decide. I did see the forecast for rain so, I will do a dance and pray to the rain gods for some precipitation!
Again, you have been very helpful, thanks!
Thanks for the info Mark!
i just saw low flying dakota type aircraft throw out large amount of powdwer over panthip plaza chang klan road(11;05am) what does this mean???
Foiled drug smugglers trying to get rid of the evidence? (Or maybe just cloud seeding over Panthip? If so doesn’t
seem to have done anything.) Cheers Neil.