Severe haze pollution has not only posed a health hazard to residents in Chiang Mai, but also dealt a blow to its tourism.
Concerned parties have urged the government to come up with long-term measures to deal with the problem, including pushing for the passage of a "clean air'' bill pending deliberation in parliament.
The PM2.5 pollution choking the upper northern provinces, including Chiang Mai, has stoked hopes among residents that the government which takes shape after the May 14 general election will tackle the problem mainly caused by slash-and-burn agriculture and man-made forest fires.