Air quality in Mae Sai district of Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai has deteriorated to critical, with levels of PM2.5 dust particles reaching 355 microns, about seven times the safe level of 50-microns, according to the Pollution Control Department reported this morning (Sunday).

The level of PM10 particulate in the atmosphere has also risen to 397 microns against the standard level of 120 microns, whereas the air quality index shows a reading of 465, with 11 red spots in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son and Phayao.

Areas found to have excessive amounts of PM2.5 dust particles today include:

Tambon Huey Kone of Chalerm Phra Kiat district of Nan 206 microns

Tambon Ban Tom in Muang district of Phayao 237 microns

Tambo Wiang of Muang district of Chiang Rai 292 microns

Tambon Chang Phuek of Muang district of Chiang Mai 192 microns

Tambon Jongkyam in Muang district of Mae Hong Son 245 microns

Tambon Wiang Piang Kham in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai 355 microns

Excessive amounts of PM10 dust particles were found in:

Tambon Huey Kone in Chalerm Phra Kiat district of Nan 242 microns

Tambon Ban Tom in Muang district of Phayao 271 microns

Tambon Wiang in Muang district of Chiang Rai 311 microns

Tambon Wiang Pang Kham in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai 397 microns

Satellite images from March 29th show 159 hot spots in the northern region, 24 hot spots in the Northeast, 14 in the Central Plains, 4 in the eastern region and 2 in the western region.

Despite the worsening haze, the BMW Barcelona motor mini-marathon 2019 and the Iron Bridge Chiang Mai mini-marathon went ahead today and runners were given the choice of whether to participate or not along any part of the routes.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Interior to help tackle haze in Chiang Mai and other northern provinces.