Towards the end of March, the situation became even more apparent when Chiang Mai was scrutinized as one of the most air-polluted cities in the world.

The question inevitably returns: where exactly does this massive amount of dust originate? Chiang Mai's dust crisis stems from a multitude of overlapping factors, including dust from urban activities, the city's topography, and atmospheric conditions that prevent the dust from easily dispersing.

The problem is that when an already dusty city is faced with unfavorable natural conditions,　the situation can erupt immediately. Chiang Mai is a "basin-like" area surrounded by mountains. 

Therefore, when dust or smoke builds up in the area, the pollution is more difficult to dissipate than in open areas. Especially during the dry season when winds are calm, air is stagnant, and air circulation is low. But the variable that truly turns the situation from “bad air” to a “red crisis” is wildfires and open burning.

[1] https://www.iqair.com/th/thailand/chiang-mai/chiang-mai

[2] https://www.chiangmainews.co.th/disaster/3925309/

Data from the website "IQAir" [1] reported the global air pollution levels, on 31^st March 2026. Chiang Mai's air pollution ranked as the number 1 city with the worst air quality in the world. And hotspots [2] from GISTDA* on April 28, 2026 (morning) accumulated 10,849 forest fires in Chiang Mai, cumulative statistics more than the year 2025. Data from Suomi-NPP** satellite.

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* GISTDA: The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency

** Suomi-NPP: Suomi-NPP Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership

 （Fern)