Chiang Mai Hotel Bookings at 30% as Air Pollution Concerns Loom; Hopes for Songkran Boost

[The Pattaya News]

The Pattaya News
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Chiang Mai— On March 27th, 2024, Mrs. La-iad Bungsrithong, the Northern Thai hotels Association advisor, publicly revealed that the statistics of hotel bookings in Chiang Mai were only 30% full compared to the start of April from the previous year, 2023. However, it was expected that the occupancy number would surge back to 70% during […]

Chiang Mai Hotel Bookings at 30% as Air Pollution Concerns Loom; Hopes for Songkran Boost
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[Bonkabit]

I was in Chiang Mai in March last year. Before leaving home in Australia I'd booked my hotel, Raming Lodge in Loi Kroh Road, for six nights. However, the air quality was awful: press reports said the worst recorded in all the world, even worse than Delhi.

I cut my losses and left Chiang Mai after just three nights. The plane to Suvarnabhumi took off through a thick dirty fog to reach clearer air. Taxi to Pattaya and the sea air was relatively fresh.

The very first time I visited Thailand was 1992, 32 years ago. Newpaper reports then were that the government was taking steps to control the burning off of rice fields and forests as well as taking joint action with neighbouring countries. Little or no effective action is apparent.

I advise a careful check of the weather statistics on air quality before booking a trip to northern Thailand in the period January-April. Many resident farangs escape to a condo on the beach further south for part or all of the period.

[Sloracer]

The challenge for visitors is that conditions can change quickly depending on weather patterns. Last week for a few days the readings were highest in the world around 190 and then 2 days later down to 60. Makes it hard to plan.