Chiang Mai's tourism suffers from pollution and rising costs

Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination in northern Thailand, is facing significant challenges as persistent wildfires have created severe air pollution, forcing three provinces to declare emergencies. The haze has become a major concern for local businesses, particularly in the tourism sector, which is already grappling with rising operational costs due to the ongoing war in Iran. Pitsamai Tuprit, a tour operator, stated, "Chiang Mai’s selling point is the chance to stay in the mountains, breathing fresh air. But when the dust comes, it destroys everything."

As the Songkran festival approaches, which started on Monday, business groups have warned of a slowdown in bookings. Pitsamai reported that half of her customers have canceled their trips due to the pollution, leading her to cancel most tours during the holiday. The Thai authorities have attempted to mitigate the situation by deploying artificial rain, but the pollution persists, with Chiang Mai ranked among the world's top five most polluted cities.

The air quality crisis is exacerbated by illegal agricultural practices, where farmers set fires to clear land, a method deemed cheaper than using machinery. Weenarin Lulitanonda from the Thailand Clean Air Network emphasized the financial strain on farmers, stating, "What is cheaper than a matchstick to manage these things?" The health impacts of the pollution are becoming increasingly evident, with a doubling of patient cases in local clinics, as noted by Dr. Atikun Limsukon, who highlighted the broader health risks associated with prolonged exposure to polluted air.

The Clean Air Network is advocating for a Thai Clean Air bill to impose fines on major polluters and create a Clean Air Fund to assist businesses in transitioning to cleaner technologies. However, the bill faces significant legislative hurdles and opposition from business groups. Weenarin warned, "Even if you don’t care about the environment, this is the goose that will lay your golden egg."

What to watch: The potential passage of the Thai Clean Air bill and its implications for local businesses and public health.