Seventeen sub-districts in the northern provinces of Nan, Phayao, Phitsanuloke, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are affected by health-threatening levels of PM2.5 today, ranging between 79.5 µg/m³ and 178.4µg/m³, according to the summary of air quality by the Air Pollution Mitigation Centre (APMC) at 7am today.

Chong Kham sub-district in Mae Hong Son has the highest level of PM2.5 at 178.4µg/m³.

The APMC reported excessive PM2.5 levels today in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phitsanuloke, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi , Prachin Buri, Bueng Kan, Loei, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Sakhon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Roi-et, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin provinces.

They are advising people living in these provinces to avoid exercising outdoors, close windows, turn on air purifiers, if available, and to wear face masks when outside.

Chiang Mai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) ranking has dropped to 173, after Delhi (230), Lahore in Pakistan (208), Kathmandu in Nepal (196) and Dhaka in Bangladesh (186).