Air quality in Chang Mai, home of the next TTM+ the Thailand Travel Show, is called unhealthy by the Thailand authorities.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has launched efforts to combat haze in nine provinces of the northern region and called on local villagers to refrain from burning garbage, which might only worsen the situation.

DDPM Director-General Chatchai Phromlert has ordered the department’s officials in the nine provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lampoon, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Prae, Payao and Tak to closely monitor the haze situation and spray water to combat dust particulates which could otherwise form haze clouds.

The particulate matter found in the air in the northern region rose over 10 micrograms.

The situation in Chiang Mai and Prae has reached emergency level and begun to pose hazards to the people’s health. The DDPM has strongly urged the residents to refrain from torching garbage, which might worsen the haze situation.