Questioning what it’s prefer to expertise the burning season in Chiang Mai? On this article, I’ll stroll you thru the whole lot I do know in addition to my prime security suggestions.
Whereas dwelling as a digital nomad in Chiang Mai for a number of months, I thought-about staying long-term. Nonetheless, after speaking to so many expats and locals, I made a decision burning season in Chiang Mai was not for me.
So I left, and deliberate to return as soon as the smokey season in Chiang Mai was over! Nonetheless, I’ve researched the subject extensively and have mates who’ve given me their two cents.
Chiang Mai is my favourite metropolis in Thailand and one in all my favourite cities on the planet. Regardless, I grew up in Southern California the place we now have frequent wildfires. I understand how depressing it’s to breathe in smoke for days on finish, not to mention months.
Burning season in Chiang Mai lasts for months, beginning in early November and typically going via April, relying on the 12 months.
February via April tends to be the worst of it, although. Final 12 months was notably unhealthy, however some years are much less so. It depends upon how a lot rain and wind there may be.
The impression of the burning season in Chiang Mai will be extreme for expats and locals alike. Firstly, you’ll want to know what months to keep away from visiting and what to anticipate in case you’re in Chiang Mai throughout the burning season.
It’s additionally essential to contemplate suggestions for tips on how to keep protected from poor air high quality. On this information, we’ll cowl all of it!
When is Burning Season in Chiang Mai?
Burning season is an unavoidable a part of life in Chiang Mai, and vacationers ought to pay attention to when it begins in order that they will plan accordingly. If you happen to can keep away from visiting Northern Thailand throughout the peak of the burning season – often February to April – it is best to.
The burning season in Chiang Mai doesn’t have a set begin and finish time, it simply depends upon the climate and when farmers begin burning their fields. February to April tends to be the worst months for smog and air high quality in Chiang Mai. This is because of minimal rain and excessive temperatures.
Agricultural burning begins as early as November and December as soon as the wet season ends and continues via April. By February, locals are starting to really feel the complete results of the Chiang Mai burning season.
March brings extra of the identical till rains often begin across the finish of March or the start of April. These rains assist clear a few of the smoke from burning season and farmers can’t burn anymore when it’s too moist out.
Temperatures start to dip decrease once more in mid-April proper earlier than Thai New Yr (Songkran Pageant), which marks a turning level for rainfall and air high quality in Chiang Mai.
I’ve been touring full-time for over 2 years and infrequently favor to go to locations throughout off-season, however I’d not wish to go to Chiang Mai throughout the peak of the burning season. I don’t care how low resort costs get!
You may verify the present air high quality of Chiang Mai and the air high quality forecast right here.
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What Causes Chiang Mai’s Burning Season
The burning season is attributable to quite a few components, essentially the most distinguished ones being farmers burning unsold crops and biowaste throughout the dry season. This burning of cultivated farmland is commonly used to organize the land for his or her subsequent crop and likewise to clear underbrush.
Moreover, many of those farmers burn the land to develop mushrooms which are offered within the markets in Thailand and overseas.
Whereas slash-and-burn farming is within the strategy of being banned because of its environmental impacts, it stays a well-liked cost-effective solution to put together land for farming functions.
The burning of crops in Thailand is just made worse by the nation’s unregulated air pollution from motor autos.
To make issues worse, close by international locations corresponding to Myanmar and Laos additionally make the most of these agricultural burning practices, and the air pollution usually blows into Northern Thailand.
How Unhealthy is Smoke Season in Chiang Mai
The burning season is an annual incidence in Chiang Mai that shouldn’t be taken frivolously. It’s BAD!
In 2023, the burning season was particularly unhealthy from February to mid-April. Chiang Mai ranked because the world’s most polluted metropolis for greater than every week straight. Hundreds of residents went to the hospital for remedy and the hospitals struggled to deal with the surge.
However, the 12 months earlier than, locals barely observed any change in air high quality. You by no means know the way it’s going to be.
Locals usually complain of sore throats, itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing, chest ache, and shortness of breath throughout Chiang Mai’s smoke season.
I grew up in Southern California the place we now have wildfires yearly, with just a few days or even weeks of utmost smoke – I can’t think about coping with that for months!
I’ve talked to lots of people who stayed in Chiang Mai for the burning season, and so they all inform me how depressing it’s. Most expats go away Northern Thailand for 1-3 months throughout the peak of the burning season.
Those who don’t inform me they hardly go outdoors and keep glued to their air purifiers. March is often the worst month.
The smoke from burning fields and mountainsides creates a murky haze that may be seen for miles all through town. Think about you’re mountaineering as much as the Doi Suthep temple and inhaling all that smoke, solely to achieve the highest to seek out the view is totally obstructed by smog. Yuck!
What’s extra, this smoke has been discovered to include excessive concentrations of particulate matter, which when inhaled may cause respiratory points and additional weaken an already compromised immune system. It’s particularly dangerous to kids, the aged, and other people with bronchial asthma.
The consequences of the burning season are particularly felt in March. That is the one month many foreigners attempt to get away from Chiang Mai because of its excessive temperatures and smog ranges.
The truth is, a examine finished by the College of Chiang Mai discovered that air particulate concentrations throughout March usually exceeded World Well being Group tips by an element of 4-5 instances!
To place it bluntly, in case you’re visiting Chiang Mai throughout this time of 12 months, be sure to put money into some good air purifiers or face masks as safety towards the smoky air.
The state of affairs isn’t a lot better in close by cities like Chiang Rai both; they expertise comparable ranges of air pollution throughout the burning season because of being comparatively shut by.
It’s essential to notice that whereas there have been efforts to mitigate future burning seasons (it’s within the strategy of being banned), the observe of agricultural burning nonetheless takes place throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia.
All in all, in case you’re contemplating visiting Thailand throughout the burning season, it is best to strongly contemplate taking additional precautions. Stocking up on face masks whereas packing and even suspending your journey till later within the 12 months when air high quality has improved is a good suggestion.
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Ideas for Defending Your self Throughout Chiang Mai Burning Season
Ideally, you’ll keep away from visiting Northern Thailand throughout the worst of the burning season. Many expats who dwell in Chiang Mai head to Phuket, Koh Samui, and different islands to attend out the smoke.
However, in case your journey to Thailand is throughout this time and also you don’t wish to miss the unbelievable north, there are some issues you are able to do to guard your self from the worst of Chiang Mai burning season.
1. Monitor the AQI ranges each day when planning your out of doors actions for the day.
2. Restrict out of doors actions and keep away from exercising open air when air high quality is poor.
3. Keep hydrated and well-rested with loads of time indoors.
4. Guarantee your resort room or lodging is provided with an air filter system to cut back the quantity of particulates within the air.
5. Put on an N95 face masks everytime you’re outdoors particularly in case you plan on doing any intense bodily exercise corresponding to biking or operating.
6. Get round by automotive (with the home windows up) as an alternative of open-air tuk-tuks and motorbikes.
7. Purchase an air air purifier in case you plan on staying in Chiang Mai for an prolonged time period.
Finest Time to Go to Chiang Mai
The worst time to go to Chiang Mai is throughout the peak of the burning season which is often February to April (with March sometimes being the worst month).
I visited Chiang Mai throughout the dry season and lived there throughout the moist season, and I loved each seasons.
So, let’s speak concerning the professionals and cons of visiting Chiang Mai throughout the dry vs wet season!
Dry Season Execs and Cons
The dry season in Chiang Mai (November – February) is usually thought-about the very best time to go to, and the burning season doesn’t often get too unhealthy till late February and March.
The times are sunny and temperatures are a lot cooler, making it good for out of doors actions corresponding to trekking and biking. Nonetheless, that is additionally the most well-liked time for vacationers, so put together for larger costs and bigger crowds.
Wet Season Execs and Cons
Conversely, the moist season (Might – October) has its benefits and drawbacks.
On the plus facet, there may be much less air air pollution in Chiang Mai because of elevated rainfall which helps wash out the particulates and different pollution from the air. This makes it a good time to go open air with out having to fret about air high quality.
Lodging costs will be decrease throughout this time as demand drops off throughout these months.
Then again, some trekking routes could also be closed because of landslides ensuing from heavy rainfalls.
I not too long ago lived in Chiang Mai for 3 months throughout the wet season and I beloved it. It didn’t rain each day and barely rained for greater than an hour at a time.
As a result of most vacationers keep away from the rain, town was uncrowded, and I received nice offers on my residence and motorcycle rental.
The place to Go to When Chiang Mai Will get Smoky
Though Northern Thailand (and Chiang Mai particularly) is my favourite area in Thailand, it’s not the place to be throughout peak burning season. Head south as an alternative!
If you happen to’re searching for seashores and islands, contemplate heading down south to Krabi, Phuket, Koh Samui, or Koh Tao. These islands are dwelling to some gorgeous white sand seashores with crystal clear waters which are good for snorkeling and island hopping. There are additionally loads of actions to maintain you busy.
One other good spot to go to in Thailand is the traditional metropolis of Ayutthaya. Situated lower than 75 miles north of Bangkok, it’s the right getaway if you wish to escape the smog and air pollution of Chiang Mai. Ayutthaya was as soon as the capital of Siam, and its ruins at the moment are acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Conclusion: Burning Season in Thailand
Chiang Mai is the right vacation spot for anybody trying to expertise the tradition and fantastic thing about Northern Thailand.
Its temples are adorned with intricate sculptures and items of artwork, and its lush inexperienced forests are nice for exploring. The night time markets are a must-see, as they provide all kinds of dishes and souvenirs.
There are additionally loads of out of doors actions like zip strains, hikes, and extra. What’s even higher is that Chiang Mai’s temperatures stay comparatively cool all year long (in comparison with Central and Southern Thailand).
As a lot as I really like Chiang Mai, I don’t suggest visiting throughout peak burning season. The worst of the burning season often runs from February to April, and air high quality can attain hazardous ranges relying on the wind path.
The excellent news is that the remainder of the 12 months makes for a fantastic go to! Whether or not you’re trying to discover, chill out, or expertise Thai tradition and delicacies, Chiang Mai ought to positively be in your record. If you happen to do make it there, make certain to strive a few of their scrumptious Khao Soi noodles!
If you happen to do determine to go to throughout the burning season, it’s essential to take precautions to remain protected. All the time put on a masks when open air, particularly in case you expertise signs like complications or sore throat, even in case you don’t discover the smoky air.
You must also keep away from strenuous out of doors actions like jogging or trekking throughout this era. Just be sure you pay shut consideration to native air high quality stories when you’re visiting Chiang Mai.
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