Tourist numbers in Pai have plummeted by nearly 90% over the past two months as persistent air pollution continues to grip northern Thailand, officials and residents in Mae Hong Son province say.
Data from the Pollution Control Department on Friday showed PM2.5 levels across the northern region ranging from 63.1 to 193.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), posing serious health risks. In Mae Hong Son, Pai district recorded levels as high as 182.7 µg/m³, far exceeding the safe threshold of 37.5.
Jurairat Kantasuk, a former village head in Pai, spoke about the worsening conditions after nearly a month of ongoing haze.
“We have lived with wildfire smoke for almost a month. Every morning we wake up and have to breathe through masks. The smoke keeps increasing every day. People cannot return to normal life, and many are asking when this will end.”
She described the toll on tourism in the area.
“Foreign tourists have dropped by nearly 90% over the past two months. Even those who already booked trips in advance often stay just one day before leaving because they cannot tolerate the conditions.”
Jurairat also raised concern over the health impact on vulnerable groups.
“Children, older residents and those with respiratory conditions are struggling. Many are experiencing breathing difficulties and other health problems.”
Health workers have been dispatched to communities to offer guidance and monitor at-risk residents, while local officials have intensified efforts by distributing protective masks and advising people to stay indoors.
Despite these measures, satellite data recorded 1,073 fire hotspots across 17 northern provinces on Friday, with Chiang Mai among the worst-affected areas. Officials acknowledged that illegal burning continues to hinder containment efforts, even during the Songkran festival period.
Air quality in Chiang Mai has remained at hazardous levels, with some monitoring stations reporting PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 100 µg/m³. On certain days, the city has ranked among the most polluted in the world.
Public health authorities have urged continued vigilance as efforts to control the fires and clear the haze persist, reported Bangkok Post.
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