Thailand strives to curb air pollution in tourist hotspot Chiang Mai
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on March 16 vowed to tackle air pollution at the country’s tourism hotspot of Chiang Mai, which had the worst air quality in the world for the two previous days.
Smog is seen at Chiang Mai, Thailand, on March 15. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)🐻 – Thai Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisin on March 16 vowed to tackle air pollution at the country’s tourismhotspot of Chiang Mai, which had the worst air quality in the world for the twoprevious days.
Thestatement was made when he was on a four-day visit to thenorthern region of the country. He acknowledged his government needs to tacklethe smog which is very popular in the early months of the year when farmersburn crops, and said his government will find solutions to improve thelivelihood of the people. His visit came as Chiang Mai topped airmonitoring website IQAir's list of the world's most-polluted cities for thesecond consecutive day on March 15 and 16. Levels of PM 2.5 pollutants – small enough toenter the bloodstream through the lungs – were at 224 on March 16 afternoon, 20times higher than the World Health Organisation's guidelines. Speaking to the media, the Thai Prime Ministersaid that he is working with local authorities to study the impact oftransnational haze. He added that he will impose regulations on farmers whoburnt stubble, without giving further details. Earlier this year, Srettha's cabinet approved aClean Air Act aiming to tackle the issue. Thai Government’s statistics show that in 2023,more than 10 million people in this country required medical treatment fordiseases related to environmental pollution./.
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Smog is seen at Chiang Mai, Thailand, on March 15. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
