Every year, from late January through April, Northern Thailand, and especially Chiang Mai, is engulfed in what is commonly referred to as the "smokey season." This phenomenon is characterized by thick, smoky air hanging over the region, reducing visibility and elevating health risks for locals and visitors alike. The "smokey season" is the direct result of a combination of factors, but the most significant contributor is the widespread use of "slash-and-burn" agriculture.
What Is smokey season?
Smokey season refers to the months when air quality in Chiang Mai and surrounding areas deteriorates drastically due to smoke from burning agricultural fields. Farmers in Northern Thailand, as well as in neighboring countries such as Laos and Myanmar, continue to rely on slash-and-burn farming to clear their land for the next planting season. This involves burning off the remnants of crops and vegetation to fertilize the soil, but the process releases vast amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Chiang Mai is especially vulnerable to the effects of smokey season due to its geographic location. The city sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, which trap the smoke and pollution, preventing it from dispersing easily. The result is a "smoke blanket" that hangs over the city, and its intensity can vary depending on wind patterns and rainfall, but it typically peaks between February and March.