If you’re planning a backpacking adventure in Southeast Asia, chances are that Chiang Mai, Thailand, is high on your list of must-visit destinations. Known for its vibrant culture, stunning temples, and lush landscapes, this charming city has long been a favorite among travelers. However, there’s one aspect of Chiang Mai that backpackers need to be aware of: the infamous burning season.
TL:DR – It’s best to avoid visiting Chiang Mai during February and March due to the Burning Season. The region’s crop burning causes severe air pollution. To stay healthy and have a great travel experience, it’s advisable to skip Chiang Mai during this period.
What Months Are Affected?
The burning season in Chiang Mai typically occurs between February and April. During these months, farmers in the surrounding areas practice slash-and-burn agriculture to clear their fields for the upcoming planting season. As a result, the air quality in Chiang Mai can be significantly affected by smoke and haze.
Why Does the Burning Season Exist?
The burning season is the side-effect of a traditional agricultural practice that has been followed for centuries in Northern Thailand. Farmers burn crop residues and stubble after harvest as a means of clearing the land quickly and inexpensively. While this method may have its benefits from an agricultural standpoint, it also leads to air pollution and health hazards. Forest fires, which happen in the mountains and sometimes wander in from surrounding provinces or nearby Lao or Myanmar, also add to the issue. Due to seasonal atmospheric conditions and a lack of rain, this hazardous air end up sitting oppressively in the bowl of Chiang Mai’s valley for weeks or months at a time.
How Bad Does It Get?
Bad enough that it regularly gets reported on in the international press.
The severity of the burning season can vary from year to year depending on factors such as weather conditions and government efforts to control it. On some days, the air quality index (AQI) in Chiang Mai can reach hazardous levels, causing respiratory issues and discomfort for residents and visitors alike. AQI readings above 100 are considered unhealthy, while numbers above 300 are deemed very unhealthy or even hazardous.
Chiang Mai regularly scores 300+ AQI during burning season 🙁
Indeed, there have been instances when Chiang Mai’s AQI has surged to as high as 700 or even more, temporarily earning it the unfortunate distinction of being the most polluted city in the world. During these peak times, the city is shrouded in a dense, smoky haze that limits visibility and permeates the air with a thick, burning smell. It’s a stark contrast to the otherwise pristine and serene atmosphere that Chiang Mai is known and loved for.
What Locals Do to Avoid the Worst Effects
As seasoned locals know how challenging the burning season can be, they take various measures to reduce its effects. Many residents invest in air purifiers for their homes and wear masks when outdoors. Those who can afford it temporarily relocate to other parts of Thailand such as Phuket or Krabi or travel abroad during this period to escape the worst of the pollution. It’s a drag because we end up paying double rent for those months.
There is also an app that tracks which businesses use air purifiers. Great for choosing a gym or cafe to go to.
Where to Go in Thailand Instead of Chiang Mai During Burning Season
If you’re concerned about the air quality in Chiang Mai during the burning season, don’t worry. Thailand is a diverse and beautiful country with plenty of alternative destinations to explore. Consider heading south to the stunning beaches of Krabi or Phuket, where you can enjoy crystal-clear waters and breathtaking landscapes.
What Are the Health Effects of Burning Season?
If your very healthy and you limit your time in the smog (by only going between places that have air purifiers) than it’s actually not that bad. But for people who have respiratory issues, or elderly people, it can cause a lot of irritation. The most common complaint is a kind-of head stuffiness. It feels like you have a cold without the runny nose. Those of us who live here tend to worry about the long-term effects like cancer. There is also the psychological effect of living in smog for 3 months.
When to come back to Chiang Mai?
Plan your visit for early April. The smog is significantly reduced by then. Besides the clear skies, April also brings the world-famous Songkran water festival. Songkran is a traditional Thai New Year celebration featuring a citywide water fight, vibrant processions, and cultural performances. When I say city-wide I mean city-wide. It’s such a fun experience.
Songkran water festival is crazy fun and worth coming to Chiang Mai for.
Will Burning Season Ever Not Be a Thing?
Efforts are being made by both the government and environmental organizations to address the issue of burning season in Chiang Mai. Initiatives such as promoting alternative farming practices and raising awareness about sustainable agriculture are steps in the right direction. However, this often results in little more than talk.
Even if Thailand were to completely eradicate its part in the burning season, the issue wouldn’t disappear entirely. Smoke from neighboring countries would continue to cross borders, resulting in a burning season still quite noticeable in Thailand. This underscores the need for a collective, international response to effectively address and mitigate this annual health hazard. Such a response is unlikely anytime soon as Thailand’s neighboring countries are even poorer than Thailand and far less politically stable.
Summary
In summary, Chiang Mai’s burning season, which occurs between February and April, is a significant concern for travelers due to health hazards. The severity of this period varies yearly, but potentially hazardous air quality conditions are the norm resulting in discomfort and respiratory issues. Come to Chiang Mai starting in early April to enjoy Songkran!
https://www.iqair.com/th-en/newsroom/thailand-2021-burning-season
