Answered4 years ago
Is the smog in Chiang Mai really serious for retirement plans?
Planning to move to Thailand for retirement. Wonder Chiang Mai's smog is really serious ? As some people say the smog there is harmful to health, while i prefer some places which is less urbanized as Bangkok and less traveler like places like Puket.
Answer summary
The post discusses concerns about the air quality in Chiang Mai, especially during the burning season from February to May, when smog levels can become serious and pose health risks. Many commenters confirm that the air quality can be unhealthy during this period, leading some expatriates to leave for those months. Alternatives such as Hua Hin, Cha-am, and Krabi are suggested for those looking for less urbanized and tourist-heavy environments. Overall, while some residents enjoy living in Chiang Mai, it is crucial to be aware of the air quality issues at certain times of the year.
73 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Giorgio ******
Being urbanised has nothing to see with pollution in Chiang Mai .
The problem is The daily amount of P.M. 2,5 !!!
A big part of these P.M.2,5 , Comes from burning in China, Mianmar, Laos , and also some burning in northern Thailand. During a season when the winds blow from the north 😁
The problem is The daily amount of P.M. 2,5 !!!
A big part of these P.M.2,5 , Comes from burning in China, Mianmar, Laos , and also some burning in northern Thailand. During a season when the winds blow from the north 😁
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
Didn't think burning was much of an issue in China. Mostly Myanmar and Laos, Vietnam also, but that's too far away to affect Thailand.Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
you must be joking : Myanmar and Laos have a very long border whith the Golden Triangle(Thai side) , a few hundreds of km . With only the MEKONG river in between ! pollution doesn't really care about crossing over the river as big and wide it is .and satellites vision can easyly trace those ashes and P.M. 2,5 going down to Chiang Mai , and stay there being enclosed by the surrounding mountains . People living in Chiang Mai know about
this , and I don't see any reason to say about it ,if it wasn't true.
About the tribes leaving in Yunan ,I bet you've been there lately to verify they don't burn.if you read well you'llnotice I disn't mention Vietnam (which you use to justify your statement ) of course in the said season the winds don't really blow from east to west ..and Vietnam isn't really north of Thailand 🤣🤣
.... sincerely yours.
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
I know what I see and what I have researched based on many years of residence. I know about the rules in China, both in practice and reality. You just make assumptions. Anyway, let's end this petty bickering.
Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
I never go on wikipedia, I talk only about what I know ,.and what I see . I've been living in northern Thailand for more than 20 years , so I don't need you to teach me about it . Have a nice year
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
Yes you must be referring to yourself there. Anyway, peace out. Have a nice day.Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
funniest guy I've met recentlyYou can add up one thing and its contrary in ince sentence , znd full of your wikipedia knowledge
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
No, you didn't know these things hence I had to explain them to you. You couldn't get past my first sentence.Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
Î i thought I read " Myanmar and Laos .... but that's too far to affect Thailand ," ., So I guess I was mistaken by 🤔🤔🤔🤔.
Thank you for spending time to explain everything I already know 👍👍👍
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
I am talking about my experiences and knowledge of the area.I acknowledged that quite a lot of the smoke comes from Myanmar and Laos, so what's your point?
The Chinese government is very strict on burning, whereas the Vietnamese is kinda like it's neighbors - carefree and lots of burning goes on there, which drifts east and west depending on the wind direction BUT is generally too far away (and there are too many mountains in between) to affect northern Thailand.
I can guarantee you the majority of the smoke in Chiang Mai is from 1) ignorant mushroom foragers who burn the forest searching for mushrooms just outside of Chiang Mai 2) farmers and corporations burning the remains of their harvested rice paddy/corn/sugar cane fields in Chiang Mai/Lamphun and other nearby provinces 3) smoke drifting over from Myanmar (Shan State) and Laos (Bokeo, Saiyabuli) by farmers doing the same thing as their Thai counterparts.
This is combined with Chiang Mai's position in a valley surrounded by quite high mountains (Doi Suthep is 1700m high), construction dust/vehicular emissions and all of this combined creates the problem during the dry season.
Billy *******
Travel around. Check it out. Don't go building houses you can't own. Start a business and go broke.
Jo **********
the smog is an significant issue for February and March but it’s getting better through government actions. Some of smog comes from Myanmar and can’t do much about that. However if love food, the northern Lanna Culture, and mountains with incredible waterfalls then it a great place.
Glyn **********
It's wonderful at times and awful at other times.
Jo **********
@Glyn *********
basically trueGlyn **********
@Jo *********
even in Hua Hin the air quality can be bad at certain times of the year. With covid wearing a mask was really helpful for me. Never as bad as Chiang Mai and typically short lived.
Tez ******
Udon Thani is just right. Major Hospital many villages close by.
Greg ******
The burning is bad, but manageable. The rest of the year is great. I lived there for 4 years, and would plan trips to beach areas during the worse of it.
Jo **********
i lived here for 10 years the situation has improved and this year was the best year in the time that I was here. This is. it based on my observations but monthly average data collected. so it’s tough in Feb and March but some years it’s ok
Kuan ******
Try udon
I heard it has the second largest expat community in Thailand. Good hospitals n urbanised. But no beach .. lol
I heard it has the second largest expat community in Thailand. Good hospitals n urbanised. But no beach .. lol
Charles *****
@Kuan *****
its got an artificial beach and one in nongkhai. The good thing about Udonthani is the low cost living and 4 good hospitals 4 big supermarkets. And nice friendly people.
Janin ******
Try Hua Hin, and go home stay for a few months a year in Chiang Mai
Talya *****
Is Pai still lovely or has it been taken over by farang? Lol
Giorgio ******
@Talya ****
Pai is still lovely , alll of the valley is the same , the city changed a little bit . You see red lights , and a ****
every 100 meters . So what ??? The evening market is the same . The night market has great foods .
Of course you'll see farangs , but where do you want to go without seeing farangs in year 2022 ??
Fernando ***********
Ao nang
I absolutely love it
Will be here for at least 5 years
I absolutely love it
Will be here for at least 5 years
Mark *********
@Fernando **********
is there a specific area of Ao Nang you’d recommend to live?
Tony *********
Phuket and surrounding area has the best all year round air quality.
John ******
I lived five years near Chiang mai and loved it fogproblem about two months , beginning of the year. Bearable but better to go somewhere else during this months
Chris **********
Terrible air quality, better in Phuket
Giorgio ******
You can always go to Isan , or somewhere along the sea where it's windy so less poluted
Tony *********
@Giorgio *****
this year the air pollution was far worse in Isaan than Chiang Mai. I monitored the readings every day.Giorgio ******
@Tony ********
sorry I wasn't there this year ! I remember the 700 P.M. 2.⁵
Duncan *******
@Tony ********
2015 was the last time that happened.Giorgio ******
@Tony ********
Î miss it soooo much , should be back soonTony *********
@Giorgio *****
Chiang Mai wasn't too bad this last season, but yes I remember when it was so bad they had to cancel flights.
Stéfan ********
Some years are worst than others... and it can get pretty bad
Paul **********
Nan is only about 4 hours drive, and it's not urbanised, also not many ferrang.
Peter *******
Paul **********
@Peter ******
yes there are a few, but those mounting roads and views are spectacular. And no dual pricing, I've only met one other Brit in our village/town.
Charlie **********
It was terrible
Karim ***************
@Charlie *********
this year was best year since records began with hardly any smog.Charlie **********
@Karim **************
if it is the best year, I'd hate to experience a bad year!Charlie **********
@Karim **************
zzzzzKarim ***************
@Charlie *********
I’m 40, I just look better for my age than you, apparently 😂 And yes, I live in Chiang Mai and have for many years so, of course I know it better.Charlie **********
@Karim **************
I did actually go. WTFAUY anyway! You look about 20. I know it's awful as I've been frequently visiting for the past 13 years. Seems like you are typical self-entitled AH who just because he lives in Thailand, thinks he knows it all.Karim ***************
@Charlie *********
did you actually even go this year? Sounds like someone is joining the bandwagon because they’ve watched a Thaigar episode…. This year there was no recognisable smog. I think you’re talking out of your ar5e.
Justin *********
Bear in mind that, in addition to burning season, summer gets quite hot, which might have health issues of its own if it means you’re staying sedentary by an air conditioner for a month. (If it wasn’t for needing to walk around the city exploring khao soi every day, I probably never would have left my room.) But it would probably be amazing to spend some seasons in Chiang Mai, and some in other parts of Thailand. (Or in Ubud, in Bali, if you’d rather be around temples and mountains instead of beaches, but still have a really good culinary scene.)
Justin *********
One other thing to bear in mind is that, even if you’re retiring to Chiang Mai, you might still want to take advantage of medical care like annual checkups in Bangkok — I’ve been really impressed with the checkup packages at both Bumrungrad and Samitivej Hospitals there. So, if you do find that there are a few weeks a year when Chiang Mai just doesn’t feel comfortable, that’s a good time to schedule your annual checkups in Bangkok.
Paul *****************
Krabi Ao Nang much better
Karim ***************
@Paul ****************
nice for a holiday but not to live… Chiang Mai is set up far better for farang.Paul *****************
@Karim **************
Air to Dirty in Chiang Mai. Smok to much. The Air Dirtyst City in Thailand.Karim ***************
@Paul ****************
This year, best year on record since records began. Having lived there through supposedly bad years too, it’s not actually that bad. Experienced worse in other Thai cities. Chiang Mai is a great place to live and you can always go to Ao nang or Phuket for what they call the Smokey season.
David ***********
Kantharalak northeast of Thailand, have the the most beautiful woman here
David ***********
Do you have line, if you need help with anything just ask 🙏
Rob **********
Try Cha-am a lovely beach side town, great community, plenty to see and do, and close enough to Bangkok, but still far enough away.
Mitchell *******
Definitely a relaxed lifestyle there. The beach isn't the best, but I like to visit Hua Hin and Cha am area just to do nothing. 😁
Brett **********
as beaches obviously aren't that important to you, you might like phuket town, it's way less touristy than the coasts with some great restaurants
Iris ***********
When is burning season?
Duncan *******
@Iris **********
it has never been June.Stéfan ********
@Duncan ******
it certainly can be... the years aren’t the sameIris ***********
@Duncan ******
so its Feb to May then?Duncan *******
@Iris **********
buring season proper starts towards the end of February as the weather changes and traditionally ends around Songkran in April - can be early or late April, though depending on the year. You can see the bad months in the pollution data. March everyone agrees is best avoided although this year was just weird due to the early rain.
Stéfan ********
@Iris **********
February to June
David **********
My Thailand wife and I moved here 6 years ago we love it. We wouldn't live anywhere else. We hope to live here another 30 years :)
Astrid ***********************
Chiang Rai may be interesting for you
Gee ******
I think it’s one place besides BKK where it’s a good idea to 😷 even without Covid
Todd *********
Plan to move somewhere other than Chiang Mai
John *****
Its serious for about 3months
Martyn ***********
yes serious...many days official report is 'unhealthy'. I'd look elsewhere if you have health concerns.
Jim *****
Try Hua hin
RJ ********
Have you looked at Hua Hin?
Steve ********
@RJ *******
Haven't you got to be over 90 to live in Hua Hin?.RJ ********
@Steve *******
you did say retirement. It was a suggestion. After visiting Hua Hin, I got the feeling it was a retirement location.
Deanna *******
Yes. It is serious. Burning season is 3 months out of the year, and most of our expat friends leave for those three months. Aside from that, the rest of the year isn't that great either.
Really cool place, but the air isn't.
Really cool place, but the air isn't.
Activity
40 joined40
people
Related
25Which is better for families moving to Thailand: Chiang Mai or Krabi?
9178815d
What are some beach locations in Thailand with nightlife that suit a retiree's budget?
5.8k51586mo
Which city in Thailand is better for living and why?
1.6k14710mo
Which is better for families moving to Thailand: Hua Hin or Chiang Mai?
6.2k33691y
What are some good tips for traveling solo in Thailand?
2.4k15242y
What are the pros and cons of living in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Krabi, Phuket, and Bangkok?
1.3k152y
Is Pattaya a good choice for digital nomads who want to live by the sea in Thailand?
20.4k1442662y
What are some less smoky places to stay in Thailand during March and April for someone moving to Chiang Mai?
4k17242y
What are the best Muay Thai camps in Thailand for beginners looking to train for two months?
10k86722y
What are the new eligibility criteria for blood donors in Thailand?
1.7k412y
What are the best family-friendly places in Thailand for digital nomads with young children?
12.9k1071362y
What are the best locations in Thailand for a 50-year-old single female to swim, work, and socialize during a 6-month stay?
10.2k90763y
What are the requirements and best places to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?
4.5k36403y
What are some recommended neighborhoods or communities for retirement living near Bangkok that allow for renting a house with a yard?
2.7k12243y
What should expats consider when moving to Chiang Mai due to the smoke season and air quality issues?
4.5k39293y
Which is better for a family: Koh Samui or Chiang Mai in Thailand?
26.8k1853503y
Where do most retired Americans live in Thailand?
10.4k811143y
What are the best places to retire peacefully in Thailand?
35.4k2435423y
What are the preferred locations in Thailand among expats and why?
28.6k2163783y
Is there currently a burning season in Chiang Mai, and how is the air quality right now?
5.2k41474y
When can I apply to extend my Retirement Non-O Visa before it expires in Thailand?
1.1k684y
What are some recommended Muay Thai gyms in Thailand for training?
2.4k17164y
Is it easy to travel around Thailand with suitcases while visiting Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui, and is it worth renting a car?
2.5k2294y
Are one-way car rentals available in Thailand and what are the costs involved?
4.2k2194y
Is the weather in Phuket going to improve next week after days of rain?
1.6k1275y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served