Air pollution in Chiang Mai
Travel restrictions have been harsh to Thailand’s tourism and hotel industry, and that doesn’t leave Chiang Mai Behind. On top of that, the province is going through a haze of PM2.5 pollutants that haze over the main city.
On 2nd February 2021, just a day after the city’s announcement that domestic tourists are welcome, a rise of these small, microscopic criminals – fine dust – was reported. This issue urges domestic travellers to stay indoors.
Haze discourages travel
PM2.5 doesn’t directly hinder the city’s tourism rates until March when agricultural burning starts. This year’s ongoing haze has already started to discourage travellers coming to Chiang Mai, especially in the city centre, remarked Horizon Village and Resort’s Assistant Managing Director, Ms Nantanittata Sesaweech to Chiang Rai Times.
IQAIR application
Image credit: @noon_puiinoon
For anyone who plans to stay and travel to Chiang Mai, air quality can be checked with IQ Air mobile application for both iOS and Android users. However, sites outside of the city are more popular amongst tourists and have better air quality, as well.
Chiang Mai wants to boost tourism
In January, Chiang Mai hotel stays dropped by 3-5%, because tourism arrivals from red zones were required to do a 14-day quarantine. When Covid-19 cases decreased and travel restrictions officially eased on 1st February 2021, the city was hoping to see bookings over the long holidays.
At present, there appear to be no signs of hotel bookings in Chiang Mai throughout February. With the PM2.5 haze settling in, some hoteliers have accepted their losses and have decided to temporarily to close their business, as reported by Bangkok Post.
Chiang Mai Blooms garden
Image credit: Chiang Mai Blooms
President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) Northern Chapter, Mrs La-Iad Bungsrithong stated that Chiang Mai plans to reboot domestic tourism by hosting more events like Chiang Mai Blooms, Chiang Mai’s annual flora event that attracts many tourists.
Always hold onto your masks
Travel restrictions have been relaxed, bringing hope to wanderlusts again – it is also a time when the disease can spread again. Even though Chiang Mai’s a beautiful place to travel to, it’s very important to carry both your N95s and surgical masks to stay safe.
More stories of PM2.5 retaliation:
- Bangkok Haze Gets Worse With Rise In PM2.5 Particles, Better Switch To Your N95s
- Bangkok’s PM2.5 Haze Level Surges Again, 50 Areas Reported Unsafe
- PM2.5 To Worsen With Crop Burning Season, NASA Satellite Images Show Fires All Across Thailand
- Thai Govt Advises People To Work From Home From 25-29 December To Reduce Air Pollution
- Chiang Mai University Students Make Their Own PM2.5 Face Masks To Cope With Wildfire Pollution
Featured images adapted from: A Broken Backpack
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