Chiang Mai Burning Season 2024 - Should You Come? 

Lived in CM for many years; leave in Feb return in May normally go to Danang. To understand how bad the air is you have to speak to Doctors in CM. You will be shocked by the numbers of sickness and deaths caused by air pollution. Our Doctor here told us not to stay here during the smokey season. We are lucky that we can leave some people like you say cannot. Keep up the good work.

It's horrible mate couldn't recommend it to anyone like. Nothing worse than not being able to breathe clean air or see in the distance clearly imo.

Thankfully my vacation in mid Feb to Chiang Mai was actually completely fine and the mercury only peaked at 95. The mornings in Chiang Mai during the cool season are just magical. Can’t wait to retire to Chiang Mai in another 8-10 years. It’s nice to live vicariously through your videos. Cheers, mate.

After last years miserable burning season I got a couple of air purifiers and a box of N95 masks for the bad days next year…it was no fun at all having what felt like bad hay fever and sore throat for days at a time…… hopefully these will help this year🤞 Anyway mate have a great New Year’s Eve and a happy New Year 😊

Thank u for this very informative. I’ve been doing research because my lungs are sensitive and the short term and long term effects are not good for health. How far south do people go? Is it bad in Bangkok?

I go there in beginning of april and now I listen about it for first time. Can anybody tell me if the burning season is over in beginning of april or if it is bad idea to go there?

I reckon you could do worse than go south to escape the smoke to Rayong and its islands (Koh Chang, Koh Samet etc.). I really like to see your vlogs outside of Chiang Mai. What ever you decide, take us along for the ride, take it easy!

I am leaving in January and not coming back until May

Coming to Thailand for the month April 5th to May 3rd. Given its burning season would you recommend going south to north after Bangkok to maximise our chances of the smoke clearing up for the end of our trip?

I am sure you had a happy Christmas and have a great new year I try to watch most of your blogs the effort you put into every video mate is very entertaining and enjoy all content giving the viewers the best content of Thailand where ever you go ,Happy 2024

Thanks Wayne , interesting perspective. Identifying the burning season is a step to avoid it . We prefer Phuket but want to visit Chaing mai in the future. Normaly visit in June July.

Thanks Wayne! I love your channel. I’m coming to Chiang Mai from the UK soon and have been researching burning season, to make sure that I can avoid it - especially as I have asthma! This was super helpful. Have a great day!!

Unfortunately with lack of research I booked a few days in Chiang Mai (feb 26-29) plane/ train ticket booked/hostel. Thoughts on just dealing with the $loss and changing my itinerary? Was really looking forward to experience Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai for a few days but not sure if I should just plan this for another time curious if you've left yet and if not an update

Winter has been extremely weak this year and already getting smokey. It's going to be bad and nothing will be done about it. Plan accordingly.

My air purifiers are cleaned and ready to go. Last year sucked.

I recommend you stay in Chiangmai untill on january and you can move to the beach on koh chang island or koh mak island on febuary to May and waiting celebate songran festival on April 2024. Happy 2024

I’m coming tomorrow, Wat Phu Tok first, then Chiang Khan. So Chiang Mai maybe 1st or 2nd

Hi, do you know how the smog it is now in Chiangmai? And also then it will finish? Thanks

Hi Wayne, me & my friend will be there in Chiang Mai on May 18-25. We are Filipinos working here in UAE, so i think the heat wont bother us that much 😅 but for the smoke, we got tired of wearing masks during covid season. Does are travel date will be much better?

I'll go to Samui mid March to mid April. That is the tax for living in Chiang Mai. The problem is the added cost and the fact you're never sure when peak smoke will hit. The threat is it keeps getting worse and longer. If you have to leave for 2 months a year is CM really viable? Thanks, man. Very on message for CM ex pats.

I’m giving that a pass. A

Good on you Wayne. All you can do is offer your opinion. It's then up to each to decide what works and what doesn't. It certainly feels like it's become more of an issue. I feel bad for all the locals as maybe it's my imagination, but Chiang Mai doesn't seem to have recovered post covid, tourist wise? Burning season also certainly doesn't help matters. That said, the most important thing we can have is our health, and this is what I wish for all the local Mai's. Be well, be safe. Thank you for your contributions during the year. I wish you health and happiness in the '24. 🙏😀

เผาน้อยมากเเล้วครับ รัฐบาลไทยเจ้าหน้าที่กรมอุทยานจะจัดการไม่ให้เผา ใครเผาดําเนินคดีตามกฎหมายอย่างร้ายเเรง

Look forward to your updates as to what you do. It was in the skies in Petchabun last January while I was there. I’ll be back in Korat and Petchabun this January - February and might head up your way for a few days. Playing it by ear, eyes, and nose lol.

Well presented Wayne and the facts cannot be denied even though some (in these comments) try to for whatever reason. An article by the Guardian spells it out stating Chiang Mai at its peak the worst in the world for pollution as a result of the burn off. 🤩

i live in Chiang Rai 6 years and it gets bad here also, next year i will move to find cleaner air

How is burning season affecting prices and cost of living (for farangs)? Are accomodations cheaper during burning season?

Darn, I’m going Chiang Mai, Chiang rai march 25-29. I hope it’s not too bad 😢. I didn’t know about this when I booked it

Thank you for your information wayne.chang mai is off my list niw,as burning seasen seems earlier ans earlier each year great content as allways

😂😂เชียงใหม่มันก็มีสิ่งปกป้องของเชียงใหม่เองคนอื่นอยู่ยากแต่คนเชียงใหม่สบาย..

Hello Wayne ! Thank you for your video :) I have a question, I'm sure you answer it in the video but as I don't understand English I'll ask it here. Do you know when the fire season will end in 2024 in Chiang Mai? Thanks for your time

me waiting on tax return 🥴

I wonder if "no till" farming could do away with that? In no till farming, you just keep a field perpetually covered with mulch, and that is the foundation of all massive scale organic farming. In organic farming, bugs are smothered with soap, instead of killed with toxic poisons. No till organic farming is the only truly sustainable farming technique, and requires less water, and can be done on the same massive scale as modern highly toxic Monsanto methods, which are archaic, and which produce products that are highly toxic to human health.

Hi Wayne such a shame they do this they tarnish changmai. For a very number 1 location they fuck it up. Maybe it's best to live in hua hin South. Love the luna rentals you can get there, but if you cannot breathe for 3 months best to look elsewhere .keep up the good videos

I’m here in CM now until end of February. I just got me an air purifier and I am starting to wear masks.

I lived there in 2017. It was horrendous from January 15th through March. Then i left and did not return.

Hi Wayne. Just a quick thank you for all the vlogs in 2023. They keep us in touch until we can visit again in October. We don't always comment be be sure that we always watch. Have a wonderful 2024. Alan and Lillian in OZ

All the smokers must be shittin themselves when the burning season arrives😂

We’re going for our honeymoon in 7 weeks time. Is it very bad in February? It’ll be towards the end we will be there. Travel agents won’t change our itinerary so we have to go now :(

I am headed to Thailand in two weeks, bummed to see the video cause I wanted to ride the Doi Inthinaon (sorry if I misspelled). Still debating it, but ya I don't wanna be all smoked out eh.

Thanks for your recommendations I plan to travel to Chiang Mai at the end of January my thai friend had already warned me about this pollution problem.

Thank you Wayne - we have Chiang Mai in feb this year - we are sensitive and dont want to be disappointed when spending money and valuable vacation time. Is Feb worse than the videa shown

That would really put me off having a yearly rental contract... no way im paying rent there and in another cityto escape the smog

Hey Wayne! Thanks for letting us know! I'am backpacking from mid february from Ho Chi min city (vietnam) in 2 to 3 weeks to the northern part of vietnam. Would you say that Laos, which was my plan to go to from the north of Vietnam, is also affected by the smokey season? What would your advise be for me moving forward from the Northern of Vietnam?

i was there for 2023 it was really bad. When you can see the smoke in the air inches from the cars headlights at night you know that stuff is getting in your lungs. It will take time off your life.

Im planning to go in march if its all smokie i will have to give the North a miss i have bad lungs 😂 !

Appreciate the guidance on the app. I’m 9 months from the move and the app is letting me compare my current location against CM daily.

Appreciate the video mate - very real & informative - all the best 👍👋😃🙏

most polluted area in the world, farmers crop burning 🙈

Hey I am going Chiangmai, pai , chiang early February only time I can . How bad will it be ?

I was about to book a flight from Da Nang, VN to Chiang Mai at the end of January 2024 to do a border run and explore another country for a week. Your video was really informative and helped me decide to go elsewhere and I'll check out Chiang Mai during the next border run. Mahalo!

hello i live came to tailnd and i live one monhtl for vacations i can came to chiang mai or not?

Personally speaking, the burning season never really bothered me, but hey, it's a decent enough reason to take a little break elsewhere 👍

I lived in Hang Dong for 6 years... Waking up and not being able to see the mountain was a common occurrence in smokey season. We decided to leave as we had our kids to consider.. being holed up inside for months at home and school is no fun

Hey Wayne! Im planning to come in May/June 2024? Would the burning season be over then?

We’re will you go for burning season this year?

Hi Wayne, we are in Thailand at the min and are due to arrive 6th Feb In Chang Mai for 5 days. Do you think it will be ok? Would really appreciate your advice as we may need to reconsider. Also, how will this affect Pai and Chang Rai? Thank you

How good are the good days in the month of March and April? Do you have any days that are a green or a yellow on the AQI during March or April?

You my friend are giving a wonderfull service to the 'people!' (like Rik from the young ones would say) those of us who are about to jump off the ledge, leave the safety of a commonwealth country, to become an expat in Thailand. Wonderfull stuff.

Hi Wayne, been quite a while since I checked in to your channel. Now 17 thousand subs, congrats man. That was a rather comprehensive video on The Burning season. Lots of different angles and it is quite apparent you have a lot of first hand experience with the topic. I remember about 9 or 10 years ago there was an absolute horrendous Burning season will you simply couldn't get the awful feel and taste of the smoke and Ash from out of the back of your throat. It was very uncomfortable. Burning season is a serious matter and not to be dismissed lightly. I had a great Christmas and New Year and my birthday in Chiang Mai and I love the warmth of the Thai people my friends who are there. Now I'm in Kampot Cambodia. I came to visit a friend I met in Chiang Mai 10 years ago. He became a great travel buddy but unfortunately I got here just a few days too late. On the bright side I've met someone here so I'm staying a little bit longer. There's a small chance I might get back there for a week before I return back to Oz but it all comes down to the dollarydoos. Maybe it was just the lighting, but I was a little concerned about what appeared to be sunburn or sun damage on your face and neck. Pardon me if I'm being a little out of line but I'm from Australia mate and we know all about what the sun does to white skinned people. Take care man, take care. I just brought some SPF 50 sunscreen for my girl here in Kampot as it's clear there is some sun damage to her face.

Happy new year wayne wishing you a very happy new year.🎉🎉🎉

I’m going to Chiang mai in 5 days time (staying for four nights). How is it atm? Would you recommend going someplace else entirely and skip chiang mai?

Happy new year wayne. This will be my first smokey season in Chiang Mai. I wont be leaving as i have a daughter in primary school. Quick question Wayne. Do regular pharmacies stock N95 masks or are they best bought online?

Thanks for the info! I loved Chiang Mai. I will return after the burning season, just after the rains! looking forward to it!

Thanks so much, super informative 😊

No need for cigarettes just breathe in the air lol😂

Thanks

Thank you for your video! This was helpful. Reconsidering our CM trip in end of Feb

What I appreciate most about your vlogs is your authenticity and honesty. That's why I prefer your channel to all the others.

Excellent vlog Wayne. Some beautiful shots of the city from the temple. Looks like a quite beautiful blue sky at the moment (I know you said it was slightly hazy) Thanks for the update. Green tea on me. Thank you 😃👍🏼

Thanks this video helped me, br great to see you do video on what sits like living in Thailand in the rainly season?? FYI I have been 12 time's I think but only in high season??

Is Lucille ready for a trip to Koh Chang for the burning season? K Chang is an awesome Island. But not lots of nightlife or hotties. Bring your own.

Oh.. this is going to be my first trip to thailand and i have never heard of this before. Thankyou for the info!! Current plan was going 2 weeks north of thailand and then 2 weeks south with chiang mai being 20-26th of february. 😢 I would appreciate an update mid february or any advise on where to go instead those first 2 weeks? Thankyou a lot!

Please make an update in late feb

Happy new year, brutha! 🎉

Hi Wayne. Quick question. Sun ceeam and Block. I know yiur there a long time. Do you use ?

Hi I will be there next week for the weekend, how does it looks like right now? Thanks

The Air quality in bangkok is worse now, compared to Mai. How is it now? I arrive in 5 th March and was thinking to go to Mai 10 th march

I’m heading to Thailand mid March, I’m aiming to be in CM end of March, is that a bad time? I want to avoid burning season in Laos, Cm and northern Vietnam at all costs. What’s the best time to go? Pai, and Pa Par too

Is it okay if just in bangkok? Or khao yai?

thats a pretty long period of smoke ,does rental prices go even further down in smoke season ?

I’ve been to Chiang Mai several times during burning season and my answer to…Should you come? NO!!! It’s so sad it’s beginning to start in the peak tourist season. It used to start at the end of February. If this continues, it will hurt the economy. Chiang Mai is the world’s largest foreign missions hub and I’m sure the expats living there will reconsider if this is the best place for raising a family.

we plan to be in Chiang Mai and Pai from March 11 to March 17 this year :( will we be too miserable to enjoy anything the whole time? If we wear masks? 😭

I didnt know about burning till i was there.

I’m thinking about going there in first half of march. What do u think?

I have been in chiang mai 5 times now and i normally always come around end of october because at that time i think nature looks at its best and waterfalls are amazing that time of year and as a hobby photographer and hiker you don't want anything more... However the second time i stayed in CM it was January. I never heard of the burning season before and to be honest those 3 weeks i didn't notice anything about smoky air. I guess i was just lucky that year. Bit at the same time when I came back home I noticed how clean the air was. As you said one day it can be all bad and the next few days it's ok again. It's not a sience... i have been thinking about retiring in Chiang Mai but that smoky season is really having me two minds about it all... maybe in the next few years the government is going to tackle this problem. I hope they will because I don't want to live in a place where I am confined to stay in a room with an air purifier on bad days and hoping the next day it will be better...

I wanted to just say thank you for this video. I was so ready to come in first week of April '24. I was hoping it would not be that bad. I mean i been in Cali smog. But it seem this is a different beast. I see the app says it 76 right now. I just dont know if it started yet or just started. I just i just hoping it better so i still can come in April or just wait until Oct but i know it will be crowded more around that time. Please keep us posted if it different this year. ty again.

Damn I was hoping to visit chiang mai in Feb

it s the big point that i choose HH , smoke in CM who even go to BGK

How is DaNang Vietnam during smokey season? Phuket gets packed.

Nice one, Wayne. A video on everyones fav subject this time of year. A complex issue that won't be solved anytime soon, especially with the situations in neighbouring countries. I might have to get you a hat or T shirt... or both with "It's always arsh burning season for me" for Crimbo next year 😉 Take it easy.

My boyfriend and I are thinking of going to Chiang Mai in mid-May after a work event in Singapore. I read burning season can last until May. Do you think it might be better by then? I’m from CA so (unfortunately) used to smoke but might decide on sticking to the south if the smoke is bad enough to require wearing a mask.

Hey Wayne Enjoying the channel Da Nẵng would be a great option to escape burning season Happy New Year mate

In previous years whats its been like in the month of May?? Thanks for sharing your blog as this subject has been playing on my mind a fair bit!! Ive always wanted to visit Thailand and especially Chiang Mai and this will probably be the only opportunity ill ever get,so am reluctant to book unless i can visit Chiang Mai.

What are you doing Wayne😢. Your basically telling people to stay away. What about the people who run businesses. Not a good idea. Are you potty. I think you will lose a few friends

This is total crap .I lived full time in Chiang mai up to 2019 for 10 years and never suffered as much as a cough out of it .Nor did my Thai family .The only consequence was that i could not see the mountains from my area of Sansai .Its organic burn off for FFS .Has gone on for 1000s of years .Then snow flakes from the West come and cry crocadile tears .If you dont like it ,then just FO please .

thx Wayne,,happy days brother, keep on keepin on,,,i know u will😉

What about Mae Hon Song , is it similair ? Nan? Pechabun? Chiang Rai? I prefer the above over Chiang Mai ...But i dunno if these places also suffer from smoke as i only visted during my travels in the past ....Thanks for tips! Cheers!

Did a road trip to CM from south Tland about six weeks ago. Planning a longer one, but not until June. Going to Vietnam in January and May. No bad air for us.