I think after research and talking with family I withdraw my “all year round” statement as it is untrue and replace it with first few months of the year when crop burning takes place!
Ok maybe I have been unlucky during my visits to Chiang Mai.
I have family living there and every time I visit the air is “smokey”.
Below is a quote made by IQAir this year:
The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai was ranked as the most polluted in the world on Saturday, according to air-quality monitoring website IQAir 28 March 2025
- It is actually caused by agricultural farmers, primarily the burning of biowaste such as unsold corn.28 Feb 2025
It is a shame because Chiang Mai is a beautiful part of Thailand.
Every time I drive down from the mountains/hills to the North I have seen a blanket of smoke.