The world-famous temple city of Chiang Mai once again topped the list of cities with the most air pollution in the world on Friday, well ahead of Kathmandu and Beijing.
The air quality was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ by the Swiss company IQAir. The ‘Rose of the North’, which is popular with tourists, has been shrouded in a toxic haze for days.
The main reason for the health-damaging particulate matter levels is slash-and-burn agriculture in Thailand, but also in neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. At the end of the dry season, farmers burn their fields to clear them of brush and weeds. Extreme air pollution has been common between January and March for years.
Will a state of emergency be declared soon?
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised in January to tackle the problem with new laws – so far without success.
The media in the country are demanding that a state of emergency be declared in the country. Thavisin was invited to Chiang Mai to get a sense of the situation.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
