(Photo: Panumate Tanraksa)Three provinces in northern Thailand — Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Phayao — have been declared emergency disaster zones after days of hazardous air quality, enabling provincial governors to disburse emergency funds to address the situation. Chiang Mai on Saturday ranked as the world’s most polluted city for the fifth consecutive day, according to iQAir, a Swiss firm that tracks air pollutants. Mr Unsit said emergency disaster assistance zones have now been declared in three provinces:Chiang Mai: Emergency disaster zones for wildfires have been declared in Hot, Samoeng, Doi Saket, Chiang Dao, Mae Wang, Mae Taeng and Mae Rim, covering 40 tambons, 338 villages and 27 communities. Lamphun: Emergency disaster zone for PM2.5 in Li district, covering eight tambons and 99 villages. Phayao: Emergency disaster zones for wildfires and PM2.5 in Muang Phayao, Chun, Chiang Kham, Chiang Muan, Dok Khamtai, Pong, Mae Chai, Phu Sang and Phu Kamyao districts.

Source: Bangkok Post April 04, 2026 14:45 UTC