VZCZCXRO6355
PP RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHCHI #0041 0650559
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 060559Z MAR 07
FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0412
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0669
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 0454

UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000041 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV AMED EAGR TH
SUBJECT: CHOKING IN CHIANG MAI 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Chiang Mai's annual bad air season is in full 
swing, reducing visibility to one kilometer and blocking the 
view of Chiang Mai's iconic Doi Suthep.  A Thai government 
website posted a first-time-ever air pollution warning for 
Chiang Mai.  Local scientists and medical experts have released 
research correlating the haze with health problems, respiratory 
issues, and cancer.  However, government actions to stop 
agricultural burning and to reduce dust from other sources 
remain minimal.  End summary 
 
¶2. Although noticeable air pollution has been increasing in the 
region since the beginning of the dry season over three months 
ago, residents can now see, smell, and taste the bad air 
blanketing the Chiang Mai-Lamphun valley.   The Ministry of 
Natural Resources and Environment recognized the problem 
publicly on March 1 with a notice on the Pollution Control 
Department (PCD) website warning of health hazards for the 
elderly and children.  As national media reported on the 
province's unsafe air, Chiang Mai Governor Wichai Srikwan signed 
an announcement March 6 ordering all local governments and 
agencies to control burning in their areas of responsibility. 
 
¶3. From March 1-5 particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometer 
(referred to as PM10) in Chiang Mai averaged 149-198 micrograms 
per cubic meter, well over the Thailand standard of 120.  In 
contrast, PM10 levels in Bangkok at Din Daeng, the closest 
monitoring station to the embassy, measured 54.   During the 
same period, the Air Quality Index in Chiang Mai measured 
113-134, versus a standard of 100. 
 
¶4. The health impacts of the haze can be severe, according to 
research by local academics sponsored by the Thailand Research 
Fund and the Pollution Control Department.   A Feb. 22-23 
conference on the "Severity of Particulate Matter Problem and 
the Impacts on the Public Health in Chiang Mai and Lamphun" 
sponsored by these two agencies linked the high levels of 
particulate matter to cancer and respiratory illnesses. 
 
¶5. The PCD attributed the heavy haze to forest fires in Thailand 
and neighboring countries combined with agricultural burning and 
climate conditions that cause an inversion.  Additional sources, 
such as car exhaust, waste burning, construction and open 
cooking fires, add to the dust and poor visibility.   While not 
yet as bad as last year's high of 248 mg/cubic meter on March 
19, 2006, the dry season has several months to run before any 
rain can be expected. 
 
¶6. Although burning is illegal in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and other 
provinces, government officials are wary of antagonizing farmers 
and others by enforcing the ban.   Apiwat Kunarak, Director of 
Environmental Office Region 1, told the CG that local elected 
officials fear losing votes if they press too hard on this 
issue.  In a local radio appearance March 6 he appealed to the 
public to stop burning, noting the effects on "your father, 
mother, and children". 
 
¶7. Comment:  As media attention grows, municipal and provincial 
leaders are issuing public exhortations to address the pollution 
problem.   The more announcements they make the more obvious it 
becomes that the government lacks the enforcement teeth needed 
to lessen burning and other sources of the dangerous haze over 
Chiang Mai. 
 
CAMP