Chiang rai: The smog and PM2.5 particulate matter situation in Chiang Rai province and many areas of northern Thailand today has reached a critical level. The latest concentration of particulate matter in Chiang Rai has soared to 24.6 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual standard.
According to Thai News Agency, satellite data reveals a surge of 4,656 hotspots in Thailand, with protected forest areas experiencing the most severe impact at 2,697 points. Meanwhile, neighboring countries also reported massive numbers of hotspots, particularly Laos with 5,942 points and Myanmar with 1,914 points. This has resulted in thick haze covering northern Thailand.
In Chiang Rai province, strict measures are being emphasized for monitoring and controlling forest fires and PM2.5 dust. These include monitoring for forest fires, spraying water to increase humidity in the air, and coordinating with the Chiang Rai Provincial Agricultural and Cooperative Office for cloud seeding operations. The province is also considering distributing face masks to the public to mitigate health impacts. The Chiang Rai Provincial Public Health Office urges the public to strictly adhere to these measures for the health of all residents of Chiang Rai province.