By The Straits Times | Created at 2025-03-22 16:02:06 | Updated at 2025-03-24 15:23:57
2 days ago
CHIANG MAI - The ongoing air pollution and smog crisis in Chiang Mai has severely impacted public health, especially vulnerable groups such as individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, the elderly, and children.
Many children in the province have reportedly suffered from respiratory issues and nosebleeds, as seen in widely shared posts on social media, including popular Facebook pages and personal accounts.
Although most cases are not severe enough to require hospitalisation, concerns remain about the long-term health effects, as this problem recurs annually.
One Facebook user shared a video of a young girl experiencing a heavy nosebleed, with tissues soaked in blood and stains on her clothing.
The caption read: “Is Chiang Mai’s air pollution this bad? I don’t know. I just know that today (March 19), I took my daughter with me to work, stopped for a meal, and as soon as we got back in the car … this happened. I believe many families in Chiang Mai with young children are facing the same issue. #AirPollution #Wildfires #CleanAir #ChiangMai”
The post has drawn numerous comments expressing concern for the child’s well-being.
Chai, the Facebook user who posted the video, said the girl in the clip is his seven-year-old daughter, Manow. The incident occurred around noon on March 19, and he is certain it was caused by the severe air pollution affecting Chiang Mai and other northern provinces.
He explained that every year, during this smog crisis, his daughter experiences frequent nosebleeds. This year, he has taken extra precautions by keeping her indoors, using an air circulator, and running an air purifier.
However, on the day of the incident, he had to take her along for an appointment in downtown Chiang Mai. While stopping at a petrol station for about 15 minutes to buy items from a convenience store and have lunch at a restaurant, they had to remove their masks.
Shortly after returning to the car, as he was about to start driving, his daughter suddenly said she had a nosebleed. He found that it was more severe than ever before, soaking tissues and staining her clothes. Alarmed, he immediately cancelled his plans and rushed her home.
Regarding the incident, his daughter was not startled despite experiencing a more severe nosebleed than usual. She has grown accustomed to such occurrences, as they happen every year.
However, as a father, he admitted feeling deeply concerned about her health, especially the long-term effects of recurring exposure to Chiang Mai’s persistent air pollution crisis. He believes many other children are suffering similar health impacts.
He acknowledged that resolving the haze crisis is a complex challenge that cannot be solved overnight. However, he urged the relevant authorities to address the issue sincerely, prioritising the well-being of the public over concerns about image or tourism revenue.
Meanwhile, another parent reported that their daughter developed red rashes across her face and body, resembling allergy symptoms.
These reactions began during the air-quality crisis and have persisted for over a month. Although antihistamines provide temporary relief for a day or two, the symptoms keep returning, forcing her to rely on medication almost daily. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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