Great video! We were considering Chiang Mai as a possible home base, but the burning season kind of put us off! We loved everything else about it though.
First smoky season in Chiang Mai for me. Not great, but not as bad as when I lived in China. Back blowing my nose was a horror show. Just seems like a time to wear masks and stay indoors. Still love CM.
It used to be worse in the Willamette Valley of Oregon during the grass field burning. If you're a wealthy country there are alternatives. If you are more of a subsistence society, burning is your only option. At least farangs have the means to afford air-conditioning or leave. There should be no "complaining". Don't like it? Don't go there ... pretty simple.
Its only a few months, most expats are going south to the Beach areas between March & May. Im in Chiang Mai at the moment & thats just a relaxed day at home with the air purifiers on. 🤷♀
@loumos 2 months, though? I'm a naturopathic doctor, so I'm pretty cognizant of environmental toxins. Don't really think I want to be subjected to that level of air pollution day in and day out. We also have 7 dogs we will be taking with us, not sure I want that for them as well. The place we were considering has a big pond. I'm wondering about that breeding mosquitos in the summer creating a nightmare. Mosquitos can make you miserable.
Yesterday I was thinking about my comment I wrote you and came to the conclusion that only because I got thru this Smokey season for only 1 month. My opinion don’t really matter. This is my first Smokey season and I don’t know anything about the long term effects. So… yeah - just wanted to leave this here 🙏🏾🇹🇭
@@Tallrikskant Well, I've also given this more thought as well, and I'm back on the train of planning to move to Thailand if things line up. So long as I'm taking my remedies that detoxify and strengthen my lungs, I should be fine. The negatives of staying in America, as I see it, are greater than the smoke, particularly if I'm proactive. I was watching a video with these changes coming in the name of climate change and saving the earth. Basically, homes will have to upgrade certain aspects to meet certain green guidelines, which won't be cheap, and if not then I believe you won't qualify good home owner insurance rates. America will become extremely difficult to thrive let alone survive. But hey, the flag represents "freedom" 🙄 With being taxed to the hill, inflation and everything else, it's becoming a nightmare. And i feel that the people here are just awful people. The whole world is changing, and fast. You just gotta do and go with what fits you and your situation best. I think I'll deal with the smoke. I appreciate your input :)
@@Tallrikskantonly a few months? Why would anyone contemplate an area that sucks for a few months to retire at when there are plenty of better spots in Thailand.. Have fun with that decision.
I am in the Sai Yok area in Kanchanaburi province at the moment with the current 2.30pm temperature of 106 degrees and unbreathable air for many days now no matter what direction I travel in. Now I just have to figure out a way back to my northern home before Songkran mania starts to the safety of my one bedroom I recently installed a air-con for just this type of situation so I can breathe and not have to rely on a spacesuit to survive. This has really become the new normal living in Thailand having to hunker down in a small room of my home. Thankfully I have enough things to keep me busy once I return home and go into lock down with the deadly air pollution and heat adding to the mayhem outside. And the Thai government wants more tourists. No one but to blame than themselves. A fleet of air tankers around the clock would help but the big corporations are the ones really in control.
Thank you for another great video. Your channel is one of my favorite channels for learning about Thailand. Keep up the work and I look forward to seeing your next video. Also thank you for replying back to the comments so rapidly.
The major reason why I chose to relocate to phuket was better air quality. It is expensive relative to Thailand, but the decent air is worth the extra baht
We can look at those fire maps of the South East Asian region which shows how bad the situation is but truly it's not why the smoke is as bad as it is in Chiang Mai. I spend a lot of time in the mountains immediately surrounding Chiang Mai riding bikes and can tell you the problem in this region of the world is hugely magnified by the village people who live there, they burn all the undergrowth in the forests so that when the rains come and the mushrooms sprout they can find them. The mushrooms attract big money I believe with the Chinese as well as local markets. You can see all the burn't undergrowth everywhere you go in the mountains, I've regularly come across Thai men actually burning it over the last few weeks. Most of the crops were burnt off in December/January after harvesting, I've seen this too, but now it's burning the forest undergrowth. I'm not saying the smoke would completely disappear if they stopped burning the forests but it would be nowhere as bad. It amazes me that the Thai government can't control this as it affects the health of its citizens and kills the lucrative tourist trade overnight once the smoke comes. Things in Asia work differently than in the west.
Hey Tony. Absolutely love your Chiang Mai specific videos. Spent some time as a tourist down in Koh Lanta right before the pandemic and loved the Thai people and how slow the pace was. I'm planning to move to Chiang Mai in October but before I do I'll get in contact with you via buy me a coffee. To any expat currently in Chiang Mai is there any meet-up spots for Europeans or North Americans to get yourself acclimated? Ie groups.
Pete. Don't feel stuck. Even if you built something. There are other areas. I know several expats walking with me on the beach each morning that have similar situations. They live in Apts now but are happy and did take the steps and make the move.
Tony. Would you mind sharing who you went with for home air purifiers and if they are working out for you. Soo many advertised on Shoppe and Lazada. Thanks for any info!! Kevin
Side effect are not all immediately shown..Yeah sorry to say this is not something folks should say ..."Oh its just a few months a year" Unless of course you are also ok with saying oh its just a few years/decades less life time expectancy. The recent 29 year old Chiang Mai doctor who died of Lung cancer having never smoked in his life is telling. So is Thai hospitals claiming 40% lung cancer deaths are non smokers. Lastly air filters/purifiers in your home is nice but....Look at the filter...That is exactly what the inside of your lungs look like. Because while the purifier filters what is sucks in it does not suck everything period. Your sucking in when you breath not only purified air...of course Like you said it cannot keep up & opening doors matters not..If your room was air tight you would have worse problems 555
@@TheNarrowGate But wasn't it Feb and March before? I remember because I have been going to CM for 15 years. We used to say that Feb was the worst and that sometimes it could be in January...
Excellent video, I landed in chiang mai at beginning of april 2023. Even though their was smoke, it was still an amazing experience.
Thanks for sharing!
Great video! We were considering Chiang Mai as a possible home base, but the burning season kind of put us off! We loved everything else about it though.
First smoky season in Chiang Mai for me. Not great, but not as bad as when I lived in China. Back blowing my nose was a horror show. Just seems like a time to wear masks and stay indoors. Still love CM.
Thank you! A very informative and helpful video. Made me a subscriber. Love people who tell it like it is.
Awesome, thank you!
It used to be worse in the Willamette Valley of Oregon during the grass field burning. If you're a wealthy country there are alternatives. If you are more of a subsistence society, burning is your only option. At least farangs have the means to afford air-conditioning or leave. There should be no "complaining". Don't like it? Don't go there ... pretty simple.
Thanks!
Thank you very much for your support, we really appreciate it! 🇹🇭 🙏🏻😊
Thumbs up 👍 Tony
Thanks 👍
I think I just decided not to move there. That's too bad. Was looking forward to it.
Its only a few months, most expats are going south to the Beach areas between March & May.
Im in Chiang Mai at the moment & thats just a relaxed day at home with the air purifiers on. 🤷♀
@loumos 2 months, though? I'm a naturopathic doctor, so I'm pretty cognizant of environmental toxins. Don't really think I want to be subjected to that level of air pollution day in and day out. We also have 7 dogs we will be taking with us, not sure I want that for them as well.
The place we were considering has a big pond. I'm wondering about that breeding mosquitos in the summer creating a nightmare. Mosquitos can make you miserable.
Yesterday I was thinking about my comment I wrote you and came to the conclusion that only because I got thru this Smokey season for only 1 month. My opinion don’t really matter. This is my first Smokey season and I don’t know anything about the long term effects. So… yeah - just wanted to leave this here 🙏🏾🇹🇭
@@Tallrikskant Well, I've also given this more thought as well, and I'm back on the train of planning to move to Thailand if things line up. So long as I'm taking my remedies that detoxify and strengthen my lungs, I should be fine.
The negatives of staying in America, as I see it, are greater than the smoke, particularly if I'm proactive. I was watching a video with these changes coming in the name of climate change and saving the earth. Basically, homes will have to upgrade certain aspects to meet certain green guidelines, which won't be cheap, and if not then I believe you won't qualify good home owner insurance rates. America will become extremely difficult to thrive let alone survive. But hey, the flag represents "freedom" 🙄 With being taxed to the hill, inflation and everything else, it's becoming a nightmare. And i feel that the people here are just awful people. The whole world is changing, and fast. You just gotta do and go with what fits you and your situation best. I think I'll deal with the smoke.
I appreciate your input :)
@@Tallrikskantonly a few months? Why would anyone contemplate an area that sucks for a few months to retire at when there are plenty of better spots in Thailand.. Have fun with that decision.
I am in the Sai Yok area in Kanchanaburi province at the moment with the current 2.30pm temperature of 106 degrees and unbreathable air for many days now no matter what direction I travel in. Now I just have to figure out a way back to my northern home before Songkran mania starts to the safety of my one bedroom I recently installed a air-con for just this type of situation so I can breathe and not have to rely on a spacesuit to survive. This has really become the new normal living in Thailand having to hunker down in a small room of my home.
Thankfully I have enough things to keep me busy once I return home and go into lock down with the deadly air pollution and heat adding to the mayhem outside. And the Thai government wants more tourists. No one but to blame than themselves. A fleet of air tankers around the clock would help but the big corporations are the ones really in control.
Thank you for another great video. Your channel is one of my favorite channels for learning about Thailand. Keep up the work and I look forward to seeing your next video. Also thank you for replying back to the comments so rapidly.
Wow, thank you
The major reason why I chose to relocate to phuket was better air quality. It is expensive relative to Thailand, but the decent air is worth the extra baht
Such a pity this happens. Must be so uncomfortable. Hoping it passes soon.
Happy Songkran Chiang Mai 2024 to Tony and 14.9K subscribers!!!
Thank you very much!!!!! 🇹🇭🙏🏻😊
Been in Samui for a month, back for Song Kran. It seems to get worse in CM every year.
Welcome back!
Thanks for sharing. Very interesting, I'm not sure I could do the heat, plus the smoke. Is it humid at the same time?
Yes often.
Hope your jet lag doesn’t last too long. Take care in the smoke and heat. 😮💨
It’s hot 🥵 here on Langkawi but thankfully no smoke.
Indonesia has six modern fire fighting aeroplanes from Canada. Thailand has non (only some old DC3 that are difficult to reload)
Ever heard of control burning..🙄
@@hobo1704 ... all burning produces smoke which is unhealthy and needs to be stoped like in China and Indonesia.
We can look at those fire maps of the South East Asian region which shows how bad the situation is but truly it's not why the smoke is as bad as it is in Chiang Mai.
I spend a lot of time in the mountains immediately surrounding Chiang Mai riding bikes and can tell you the problem in this region of the world is hugely magnified by the village people who live there, they burn all the undergrowth in the forests so that when the rains come and the mushrooms sprout they can find them. The mushrooms attract big money I believe with the Chinese as well as local markets.
You can see all the burn't undergrowth everywhere you go in the mountains, I've regularly come across Thai men actually burning it over the last few weeks. Most of the crops were burnt off in December/January after harvesting, I've seen this too, but now it's burning the forest undergrowth.
I'm not saying the smoke would completely disappear if they stopped burning the forests but it would be nowhere as bad. It amazes me that the Thai government can't control this as it affects the health of its citizens and kills the lucrative tourist trade overnight once the smoke comes. Things in Asia work differently than in the west.
Hey Tony. Absolutely love your Chiang Mai specific videos. Spent some time as a tourist down in Koh Lanta right before the pandemic and loved the Thai people and how slow the pace was. I'm planning to move to Chiang Mai in October but before I do I'll get in contact with you via buy me a coffee. To any expat currently in Chiang Mai is there any meet-up spots for Europeans or North Americans to get yourself acclimated? Ie groups.
There are expat groups in Thailand and for most of the major cities. Go to Facebook and look in the groups.
I had to leave a night early last week. I had enough after4 nights
Moving to Chiang Mai this week (April 10) was probably not my smartest decision 😅
Pete. Don't feel stuck. Even if you built something. There are other areas. I know several expats walking with me on the beach each morning that have similar situations. They live in Apts now but are happy and did take the steps and make the move.
Tony. Would you mind sharing who you went with for home air purifiers and if they are working out for you. Soo many advertised on Shoppe and Lazada. Thanks for any info!! Kevin
www.lazada.co.th/products/smart-air-the-sqair-hepa-40-air-purifier-pm25-i456098929-s842074061.html?c=&channelLpJumpArgs=&clickTrackInfo=query%3Asmart%2Bair%3Bnid%3A456098929%3Bsrc%3ALazadaMainSrp%3Brn%3A53c1589fe9c38d24d6d7fccd57f6271c%3Bregion%3Ath%3Bsku%3A456098929_TH%3Bprice%3A2990%3Bclient%3Adesktop%3Bsupplier_id%3A1000293912%3Bbiz_source%3Ah5_hp%3Bslot%3A0%3Butlog_bucket_id%3A470687%3Basc_category_id%3A5578%3Bitem_id%3A456098929%3Bsku_id%3A842074061%3Bshop_id%3A521336&fastshipping=0&freeshipping=1&fs_ab=2&fuse_fs=&lang=en&location=Samut%20Prakan&price=2.99E%203&priceCompare=skuId:842074061;source:lazada-search-voucher;sn:53c1589fe9c38d24d6d7fccd57f6271c;unionTrace:a3b5349917126624320134582e;originPrice:299000;voucherPrice:299000;displayPrice:299000;singlePromotionId:-1;singleToolCode:mockedSalePrice;voucherPricePlugin:1;buyerId:0;timestamp:1712662432558&ratingscore=4.9326599326599325&request_id=53c1589fe9c38d24d6d7fccd57f6271c&review=297&sale=1465&search=1&source=search&spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.0&stock=1
www.lazada.co.th/products/1-smartmi-air-purifier-2-sm0007-tvoc-pm25pm10-28-95-i3578562509-s13359868129.html?c=&channelLpJumpArgs=&clickTrackInfo=query%253Asmartmi%253Bnid%253A3578562509%253Bsrc%253ALazadaMainSrp%253Brn%253A882c2617ae8c8c1b17c2b8e1a38b845d%253Bregion%253Ath%253Bsku%253A3578562509_TH%253Bprice%253A6990%253Bclient%253Adesktop%253Bsupplier_id%253A1000278340%253Bbiz_source%253Ah5_hp%253Bslot%253A4%253Butlog_bucket_id%253A470687%253Basc_category_id%253A5578%253Bitem_id%253A3578562509%253Bsku_id%253A13359868129%253Bshop_id%253A506032&fastshipping=0&freeshipping=1&fs_ab=2&fuse_fs=&lang=en&location=Bangkok&price=6.99E%203&priceCompare=skuId%3A13359868129%3Bsource%3Alazada-search-voucher%3Bsn%3A882c2617ae8c8c1b17c2b8e1a38b845d%3BunionTrace%3Aa3b5349817126625675662726e%3BoriginPrice%3A699000%3BvoucherPrice%3A699000%3BdisplayPrice%3A699000%3BsinglePromotionId%3A-1%3BsingleToolCode%3AmockedSalePrice%3BvoucherPricePlugin%3A1%3BbuyerId%3A100135917854%3Btimestamp%3A1712662568104&ratingscore=5.0&request_id=882c2617ae8c8c1b17c2b8e1a38b845d&review=19&sale=115&search=1&source=search&spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.4&stock=1
@@TheNarrowGate Thank you!!!
I will be in Chiang Mai in the last week of May. Do you think the smoke will have cleared by then?
No, you will be good. 😊
@@TheNarrowGate Awesome. Thanks mate! 🤙
Check the weather. No rain, it will stay the same.
im planning on visiting chiang mai from 4th - 20th Feb 2025. Should that time be ok smokewise?
You’re cutting it close. It shouldn’t be as bad as March, but it could still be pretty bad.
Side effect are not all immediately shown..Yeah sorry to say this is not something folks should say ..."Oh its just a few months a year" Unless of course you are also ok with saying oh its just a few years/decades less life time expectancy. The recent 29 year old Chiang Mai doctor who died of Lung cancer having never smoked in his life is telling. So is Thai hospitals claiming 40% lung cancer deaths are non smokers. Lastly air filters/purifiers in your home is nice but....Look at the filter...That is exactly what the inside of your lungs look like. Because while the purifier filters what is sucks in it does not suck everything period. Your sucking in when you breath not only purified air...of course Like you said it cannot keep up & opening doors matters not..If your room was air tight you would have worse problems 555
Big article in Bangkok Post yesterday on all the smoke related illnesses up north.. It's bad. Imho
Hi Tony where you boarding your dog during vacation. Thank you
Friends house
Hm, others have told me it's bad all year now in CM, but worse for a few months. It's very sad.
Mostly March and April.
@@TheNarrowGate But wasn't it Feb and March before? I remember because I have been going to CM for 15 years. We used to say that Feb was the worst and that sometimes it could be in January...
Do you know where the smoke is coming from?
That looks like Riverside, California in the 1970s. I think I'll go to the Philippines instead.
Noice! Thank you!