Chiang Mai residents 'extremely worried' as smog keeps Thai city among world's most polluted

Thick smog from northern wildfires has left Chiang Mai among the world’s most polluted cities, raising health concerns for residents and tourists alike. Air quality remains “unhealthy,” affecting daily life and local tourism.

Reuters

31 March 2026 at 09:28:28

Chiang Mai residents 'extremely worried' as smog keeps Thai city among world's most polluted

A drone view show the city shrouded in air pollution, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, March 31, 2026.

Jittrapon Kaicome/Reuters

Residents and tourists in Thailand’s Chiang Mai voiced growing health concerns on Tuesday (March 31) as the northern city remained shrouded in thick smog.

Samir Patel, a visitor from India, said the haze had obscured the panoramic view from Doi Suthep mountain. “It’s a global situation,” he said, noting Delhi also struggles with pollution. “I hope it gets better, because there are a lot of kids really affected by the pollution.”

Local resident Wanchai Thiensiri said he felt anxious about the prolonged haze. “We still don’t know what measures the government or authorities will take.”

Another resident, Saifon Konsean, said the pollution had begun to affect her breathing. “I can't open the windows, and even turning on the air conditioning, the air still doesn't feel fresh. This kind of air is really worrying. I’m very scared.”

Swiss air‑quality tracker IQAir showed Chiang Mai with an “unhealthy” Air Quality Index (AQI) of 165 at 0930 GMT on Tuesday, keeping the city among the world’s most polluted.

Thai Public Broadcasting Service reported on Monday (March 30) that ongoing wildfires in the northern region have blanketed the city in haze, hitting the economy and tourism.

Production: Zaw Naing Oo/Reuters