According to the State of Global Air 2020 Report, around 32,000 premature deaths in Thailand, back in 2019, have been attributed to air pollution. The report cites the PM2.5 pollution particles as the main culprit as particles in that size range are the most likely to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs.
Exposure to these fine particles can cause short-term health effects, such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. But the long-term effects of being exposed to the particles is much more sinister.
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution particles can affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. Scientific studies have linked increases in daily PM2.5 exposure with increased respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions, emergency department visits and deaths.
Studies also suggest that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may be associated with increased rates of chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function and increased mortality from lung cancer and heart disease. People with breathing and heart problems, children and the elderly may be more sensitive to PM2.5 particles.
In Thailand, it’s burning season in the north as farmland and forests blaze with abundance (the annual burning season usually lasts from January to April, before the wet season kicks in). Despite increasing cautions against air pollution affecting short and long-term health of residents, the fires don’t show signs of stopping. The government has even issued a no burning ban, but enforcing the ban has proved to be fruitless as such provinces in northern Thailand consist of vast forest lands.
The government helicopter team can only do so much as they set out to locate hotspots and attempt to extinguish them by dropping buckets of water. But crop burning appears to be the cheapest and fastest way to help farmers clear their lands for a new growing season.
Recently, Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai has ranked the 3rd most polluted city in the world, according to AirVisual, which gives live updates of rankings. Today, Chiang Mai doesn’t appear in the list of the top 10 most air-polluted cities in the world, according to iqair.com
SOURCE: Sky News/Health.ny.gov
Keep in contact with Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following Thaiger.
Maverick
Friday, April 2, 2021 at 2:35 pm
I use Nai Harn beach regularly and snorkel 4 times a week at Yanui and Ao Sane beaches, not only is water Vis excellent, more sea life and signs that coral is recovering , there is new growth after last bleaching event. Can’t speak for other beaches, and wouldn’t swim at Patong if you paid me……don’t think folks really go their for the beaches …..
Thaiger
Friday, April 2, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Thank you. That’s great to hear.
Steve Kelly
Friday, April 2, 2021 at 5:44 pm
The pandemic has afforded the Kingdom the opportunity to change the type of tourists that visit Thailand, I would be very happy to see the use of speedboats and jet skies restricted on Thai beaches. The water is so clean right now, it would be such a pity for it to return to pre Covid-19 levels of contamination.
MARTIN BERRY
Friday, April 2, 2021 at 5:45 pm
Until the locals stop using the Klongs as a toilet and for dumping all manner of waste into them Patong beach for example will always have problems as the klongs run into the estuary at the southern end. That said i hope there is a reset button for keeping the beaches as pristine as possible and the tourists, when they arrive in numbers, take care of a beautiful area of nature
Mr cynic
Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 12:00 am
they had an opportunity to sort phukets beaches after the tusnami disaster.all they did was tidy up and go back to buissness as usual afterwards.no reason to believe this upset will be treated any differently.the infrastructure is inadequate and as soon as visitors return it will be back to square one.a complete change of mindset by all local businesses is the only way for any meaningful changes to occur.the only way that’s going to happen is draconian legislation that is enforced to one and all.nothing else will work long term.
Kim
Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 10:11 am
It has definitely improved the cleanliness of the water, however, there are still plenty of hidden waste water outlets at all beaches with beach front hotels. These hidden outlets come to surface during high and rough weather, as the sand on top is removed. I’m afraid the cleanliness will return to the same disgusting standard once tourism starts again, as people here dont give a crap about the environment – its all about money and how much you can personally amass.
Craig
Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 3:42 pm
That’s good to hear but tourists will bring the past back. Enjoy the cleanliness now before it’s gone.
Don jones
Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11:59 pm
No vaccines available and allowing in tourists.Thai death wish
RA
Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 11:45 am
Just a editorial comment, I’m not completely positive but it’s Leatherback Turtle, not Leatherneck.