Advise Against Travel to Chiang Mai At This Time
 

I would advise against travel to Chiang Mai at this time, due to severe air pollution. Of course air pollution in Chiang Mai every spring is not news, but it is getting worse. Today AQI 262 (very unhealthy). From the city, cannot see the surrounding mountains, due to haze. After wearing face masks due to Covid-19, now must wear due to air pollution. :eek: Although the Governor seems to be doing his best, sadly the problem persists.

https://http://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/...es-pm2-5-fears

thanks for the warning...
not only Chiang Mai but whole north and parts of northeast Thailand, including rural areas... not from traffic and not from industrial production but from fires (forest and agriculture)....even authorities could resolve this in Thailand, there are still a lot of fires in Myanmar, Laos and Camboda, which affect the air quality in Thailand.
ASEAN should address this!
I avoid to travel to the North or Northeast during burning season....

Assuming normal weather patterns, will the situation have improved by mid-May?

yes

Have been in Chiang Mai since 11 April and air quality improved compared to days/weeks to this date. Doi Suthep visible from Nimman every day so far.

Unfortunately, the bad stuff - PM 2.5 - is not visible to the naked eye.

Chiang Mai is once again back in the "red" zone for unhealthy air, whether you can see the vague outline of the mountain through the haze or not.

AQI 162 currently (unhealthy). 😳