A POPULAR tourist hotspot destination of northern Thailand Chiang Mai, is now being ranked top world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, The Telegraph reported.

Chaing Mai, attracts millions of tourist every year. It is home to 120,000 people competing with megacities like Dhaka, Delhi and Shanghai for the worst air quality.

“The haze has been very bad this year,” says Pat, a local taxi driver, as he navigates a winding mountain pass. “I think now we have four seasons: summer, winter, rainy, and the haze”, The Telegraph quoted him as he saying.

Form hundreds internationally cities, Chiang Mai led the ranking with a ‘very unhealthy’ 177 on Tuesday night, according to IQAir — an air quality index.

The city draws tourist attention to explore the lush forest, mountain hikes and hillside villages nearby. Prof Chaicharn Pothirat, a pulmonary consultant and professor of medicine at Chiang Mai University (CMU) said: “In Chiang Mai, the haze is seasonal.” “But over the last 20 years, the intensity and duration has become worse and worse”, he added. A retired hunter and farmer in Pa Tung Ngam, Prasong Ranea says majority of people linked with agribusinesses, they use fire to clear land for next crops cycle, while some hunters set fire to promote growth in certain areas.

Chiang Mai is competing with megacities like Delhi and Shanghai for the worst air quality

“Even when the government imposes zero burning [rules], people continue,” he told The Telegraph. “Many have no other way; they can’t afford machines or think it’s the best way to hunt.”

There is economic consequence in Chiang Mai to the pollution, with some business reporting a significant drop in booking during the peak of burning season.

“At the start of March, it was a problem — tourists were not coming, I would say I had a 50 per cent drop in bookings,” says Mr Tee, owner of Chiang Mai Tee Tours, perched in his booth on a sidestreet in the city’s old town. “I [have] worked in tourism for 30 years… and I think tourists are becoming more aware of the pollution.”

Medical practitioner believes the haze has been linked to serious health problem including heart disease, stokes and lung cancer.

“I tell my patients to leave”, says Prof Pothirat at the Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. “As a daily practitioner, I can see that health is deteriorating — especially in the last few years.”

“Most people cannot afford to relocate at this time of year, but I tell my patients who are foreigners or have relatives in the south to leave to protect themselves”, he told The Telegraph.

The situation in Chiang Mai highlights the need for a coordinated effort from governments, business and individuals to address the issue of air pollution.

While measures such as banning burning and promoting alternative land-cleaning methods may help, the problem is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2023