Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red.
Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s well above Thailand’s safety threshold of 37.5 µg/m³, putting residents at risk of serious health issues.
Nan Governor Chainarong Wongyai explained that the choking smog was being pushed into the province by winds carrying dust and smoke from neighbouring regions.
“Nan is surrounded by mountains, so the air gets trapped.”
In response, local officials shut down Sri Nan National Park and enforced lockdowns in three districts — Wiang Sa, Na Noi, and Na Muen. A night-time curfew was also slapped on the Sanian subdistrict in Mueang Nan district to control movement and deter illegal burning activities.
Meanwhile, Mueang Nan District Chief Nopporn Ruangsawang has taken charge of a special task force patrolling forested areas to catch and prevent arson. The crackdown has already seen results.
A woman was caught and charged with deliberately starting a blaze in Nanthaburi National Park. After admitting to the offence, she was transferred to Mueang Nan Police Station, where legal proceedings are now underway.
As the air remains thick with haze, officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities.
Health experts are warning that prolonged exposure to PM2.5, the fine particulate matter responsible for much of the pollution, can lead to serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Nan isn’t alone in its struggle. Northern provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son have also been grappling with severe air pollution, largely due to slash-and-burn farming and transboundary haze, reported The Nation.
The government has been under mounting pressure to implement tougher anti-burning laws and improve air quality monitoring nationally as public frustration with seasonal smog grows louder year after year.
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