Costs rise for northerners as they struggle with smoke haze – Nida Poll

About 60% say they were allergic to the haze, with some suffering from colds and runny nose, while 49% say they faced respiratory difficulties. About 48% said they had sore eyes.

Nearly 84% say they had used facemasks to protect themselves and 29% say they preferred to stay at home.

Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department yesterday tried to downplay the situation while forest fires kept erupting in several areas.

PCD director-general Pralong Damrongthai said that as of 9am yesterday, the concentration of fine dust particles (PM2.5 microns) had reduced in several areas compared to the previous day. The overall air quality had improved to moderately fine to health-affecting.

Three areas in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai were severely affected by the haze during the past weeks and were identified as the most dangerous for health. The concentration of PM 2.5 microns in 24 hours were measured at 47 to 123 micrograms per cubic metre, still exceeding the safety limit of 50mcg.

From Chiang Rai to Mae Hong Son, new forest fires still erupted along the mountain ridges bordering Thailand and Myanmar and parts of Laos.

This morning’s readings from AirVisual.com. Chiang Rai registered a reading of 181 this morning. Chiang Mai comes in at #3 in the world rankings of the world’s most air polluted cities today.