Smog level in Chiang Mai unsafeChiang Mai was back on top as the most polluted city in the world yesterday, despite a ban on agricultural burning. The density of fine dust in the northern city was mainly created by illegal burning of agricultural produce within Chiang Mai province and neighbouring countries. Satellite heat maps yesterday tracked fires, almost all deliberately lit in several locations in Chiang Mai and also found thousands of similar fires in neighbouring Myanmar and Laos. Meanwhile, Chiang Rai province yesterday was also suffering air pollution problems due to prevailing wind blowing smog across the province. In Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district the AQI measured 198 while in Chiang Rai town centre, the reading was around 224.

Source: Bangkok Post March 19, 2020 23:37 UTC