Questioning what it’s wish to expertise the burning season in Chiang Mai? On this article, I’ll stroll you thru all the pieces I do know in addition to my high security suggestions.
Whereas residing as a digital nomad in Chiang Mai for a number of months, I thought of staying long-term. Nevertheless, after speaking to so many expats and locals, I made a decision burning season in Chiang Mai was not for me.
So I left, and deliberate to return as soon as the smokey season in Chiang Mai was over! Nevertheless, I’ve researched the subject extensively and have mates who’ve given me their two cents.
Chiang Mai is my favourite metropolis in Thailand and one in all my favourite cities on the earth. Regardless, I grew up in Southern California the place we now have frequent wildfires. I understand how depressing it’s to breathe in smoke for days on finish, not to mention months.
Burning season in Chiang Mai lasts for months, beginning in early November and typically going by way of April, relying on the yr.
February by way of April tends to be the worst of it, although. Final yr was significantly unhealthy, however some years are much less so. It will depend on how a lot rain and wind there’s.
The impression of the burning season in Chiang Mai may be extreme for expats and locals alike. Firstly, you could know what months to keep away from visiting and what to anticipate when you’re in Chiang Mai throughout the burning season.
It’s additionally essential to think about suggestions for learn how to keep secure from poor air high quality. On this information, we’ll cowl all of it!
When is Burning Season in Chiang Mai?
Burning season is an unavoidable a part of life in Chiang Mai, and vacationers ought to concentrate on when it begins in order that they’ll plan accordingly. If you happen to can keep away from visiting Northern Thailand throughout the peak of the burning season – normally February to April – you must.
The burning season in Chiang Mai doesn’t have a set begin and finish time, it simply will depend on the climate and when farmers begin burning their fields. February to April tends to be the worst months for smog and air high quality in Chiang Mai. This is because of minimal rain and excessive temperatures.
Agricultural burning begins as early as November and December as soon as the wet season ends and continues by way of April. By February, locals are starting to really feel the complete results of the Chiang Mai burning season.
March brings extra of the identical till rains normally begin across the finish of March or the start of April. These rains assist clear a number of the smoke from burning season and farmers can’t burn anymore when it’s too moist out.
Temperatures start to dip decrease once more in mid-April proper earlier than Thai New Yr (Songkran Pageant), which marks a turning level for rainfall and air high quality in Chiang Mai.
I’ve been touring full-time for over 2 years and infrequently desire to go to locations throughout off-season, however I’d not wish to go to Chiang Mai throughout the peak of the burning season. I don’t care how low hotel prices get!
You’ll be able to test the current air quality of Chiang Mai and the air quality forecast here.
✨The 1 Factor We By no means Depart Dwelling With out…✨
Coming from somebody who has been touring the world for the final 8 years AND has been within the hospital 2x, journey insurance coverage is one thing everybody NEEDS to get. Get a quote beneath!
What Causes Chiang Mai’s Burning Season
The burning season is attributable to quite a few components, essentially the most distinguished ones being farmers burning unsold crops and biowaste throughout the dry season. This burning of cultivated farmland is commonly used to arrange the land for his or her subsequent crop and in addition to clear underbrush.
Moreover, many of those farmers burn the land to develop mushrooms which can be offered within the markets in Thailand and overseas.
Whereas slash-and-burn farming is within the means of being banned as a result of its environmental impacts, it stays a preferred cost-effective approach to put together land for farming functions.
The burning of crops in Thailand is barely made worse by the nation’s unregulated air pollution from motor automobiles.
To make issues worse, close by nations reminiscent of Myanmar and Laos additionally make the most of these agricultural burning practices, and the air pollution typically blows into Northern Thailand.
How Dangerous is Smoke Season in Chiang Mai
The burning season is an annual prevalence in Chiang Mai that shouldn’t be taken calmly. It’s BAD!
In 2023, the burning season was particularly unhealthy from February to mid-April. Chiang Mai ranked because the world’s most polluted city for greater than per week straight. Hundreds of residents went to the hospital for remedy and the hospitals struggled to deal with the surge.
However, the yr earlier than, locals barely observed any change in air high quality. You by no means know the way it’s going to be.
Locals typically complain of sore throats, itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing, chest ache, and shortness of breath throughout Chiang Mai’s smoke season.
I grew up in Southern California the place we now have wildfires yearly, with a couple of days or perhaps weeks of utmost smoke – I can’t think about coping with that for months!
I’ve talked to lots of people who stayed in Chiang Mai for the burning season, and so they all inform me how depressing it’s. Most expats depart Northern Thailand for 1-3 months throughout the peak of the burning season.
Those who don’t inform me they hardly go outdoors and keep glued to their air purifiers. March is normally the worst month.
The smoke from burning fields and mountainsides creates a murky haze that may be seen for miles all through town. Think about you’re mountain climbing as much as the Doi Suthep temple and inhaling all that smoke, solely to achieve the highest to search out the view is totally obstructed by smog. Yuck!
What’s extra, this smoke has been discovered to include excessive concentrations of particulate matter, which when inhaled could cause respiratory points and additional weaken an already compromised immune system. It’s particularly dangerous to youngsters, the aged, and other people with bronchial asthma.
The consequences of the burning season are particularly felt in March. That is the one month many foreigners attempt to get away from Chiang Mai as a result of its excessive temperatures and smog ranges.
In reality, a examine executed by the College of Chiang Mai discovered that air particulate concentrations throughout March typically exceeded World Well being Group tips by an element of 4-5 instances!
To place it bluntly, when you’re visiting Chiang Mai throughout this time of yr, ensure you spend money on some good air purifiers or face masks as safety towards the smoky air.
The scenario isn’t significantly better in nearby cities like Chiang Rai both; they expertise comparable ranges of air pollution throughout the burning season as a result of being comparatively shut by.
It’s essential to notice that whereas there have been efforts to mitigate future burning seasons (it’s within the means of being banned), the apply of agricultural burning nonetheless takes place throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia.
All in all, when you’re contemplating visiting Thailand throughout the burning season, you must strongly think about taking further precautions. Stocking up on face masks while packing and even suspending your journey till later within the yr when air high quality has improved is a good suggestion.
Psst…Need in on a Secret? 🤫
We have scoured the web for the perfect ALL-AROUND journey shoe and Tropicfeel wins by far. We have taken ours by way of rivers, jungles, and cities and so they’re nonetheless alive and kickin’. Test them out beneath.
Ideas for Defending Your self Throughout Chiang Mai Burning Season
Ideally, you’ll keep away from visiting Northern Thailand throughout the worst of the burning season. Many expats who dwell in Chiang Mai head to Phuket, Koh Samui, and different islands to attend out the smoke.
However, in case your journey to Thailand is throughout this time and also you don’t wish to miss the unimaginable north, there are some issues you are able to do to guard your self from the worst of Chiang Mai burning season.
1. Monitor the AQI levels each day when planning your out of doors actions for the day.
2. Restrict out of doors actions and keep away from exercising outside when air high quality is poor.
3. Keep hydrated and well-rested with loads of time indoors.
4. Guarantee your lodge room or lodging is supplied with an air filter system to cut back the quantity of particulates within the air.
5. Put on an N95 face masks everytime you’re outdoors particularly when you plan on doing any intense bodily exercise reminiscent of biking or working.
6. Get round by automotive (with the home windows up) as an alternative of open-air tuk-tuks and motorbikes.
7. Purchase an air air purifier when you plan on staying in Chiang Mai for an prolonged time frame.
Finest Time to Go to Chiang Mai
The worst time to go to Chiang Mai is throughout the peak of the burning season which is normally February to April (with March usually being the worst month).
I visited Chiang Mai throughout the dry season and lived there throughout the moist season, and I loved each seasons.
So, let’s speak concerning the professionals and cons of visiting Chiang Mai during the dry vs rainy season!
Dry Season Professionals and Cons
The dry season in Chiang Mai (November – February) is mostly thought of the perfect time to go to, and the burning season doesn’t normally get too unhealthy till late February and March.
The times are sunny and temperatures are a lot cooler, making it excellent for out of doors actions reminiscent of trekking and biking. Nevertheless, that is additionally the most well-liked time for vacationers, so put together for increased costs and bigger crowds.
Wet Season Professionals and Cons
Conversely, the moist season (Could – October) has its benefits and downsides.
On the plus aspect, there’s much less air air pollution in Chiang Mai as a result of elevated rainfall which helps wash out the particulates and different pollution from the air. This makes it a good time to go outside with out having to fret about air high quality.
Lodging costs may be decrease throughout this time as demand drops off throughout these months.
Alternatively, some trekking routes could also be closed as a result of landslides ensuing from heavy rainfalls.
I not too long ago lived in Chiang Mai for 3 months throughout the wet season and I liked it. It didn’t rain daily and infrequently rained for greater than an hour at a time.
As a result of most vacationers keep away from the rain, town was uncrowded, and I acquired nice offers on my house and bike rental.
The place to Go to When Chiang Mai Will get Smoky
Though Northern Thailand (and Chiang Mai especially) is my favourite area in Thailand, it’s not the place to be throughout peak burning season. Head south as an alternative!
If you happen to’re searching for beaches and islands, think about heading down south to Krabi, Phuket, Koh Samui, or Koh Tao. These islands are dwelling to some beautiful white sand seashores with crystal clear waters which can be perfect for snorkeling and island hopping. There are additionally loads of actions to maintain you busy.
One other great spot to visit in Thailand is the traditional metropolis of Ayutthaya. Positioned lower than 75 miles north of Bangkok, it’s the proper getaway if you wish to escape the smog and air pollution of Chiang Mai. Ayutthaya was as soon as the capital of Siam, and its ruins at the moment are acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
Conclusion: Burning Season in Thailand
Chiang Mai is the proper vacation spot for anybody seeking to expertise the tradition and great thing about Northern Thailand.
Its temples are adorned with intricate sculptures and items of artwork, and its lush inexperienced forests are nice for exploring. The night markets are a must-see, as they provide all kinds of dishes and souvenirs.
There are additionally loads of out of doors actions like zip traces, hikes, and extra. What’s even higher is that Chiang Mai’s temperatures stay comparatively cool all year long (in comparison with Central and Southern Thailand).
As a lot as I like Chiang Mai, I don’t advocate visiting throughout peak burning season. The worst of the burning season normally runs from February to April, and air high quality can attain hazardous ranges relying on the wind route.
The excellent news is that the remainder of the yr makes for an incredible go to! Whether or not you’re seeking to discover, calm down, or expertise Thai culture and cuisine, Chiang Mai ought to undoubtedly be in your record. If you happen to do make it there, ensure to attempt a few of their delicious Khao Soi noodles!
If you happen to do determine to go to throughout the burning season, it’s essential to take precautions to remain secure. All the time put on a masks when outside, particularly when you expertise signs like complications or sore throat, even when you don’t discover the smoky air.
You must also keep away from strenuous out of doors actions like jogging or trekking throughout this era. Just be sure you pay shut consideration to native air high quality stories whilst you’re visiting Chiang Mai.
Heading to the Islands? Take a look at these Journey Guides that we wrote only for you!
Impressed? Pin it!
