over the weekend air quality in the North improved slightly, only to deteriorate again as officials are unable to control the burning. http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/19Mar2007_news04.php
we've found a missionary guesthouse (out of the smog) to stay at until the air goes back to a less unhealthy quality... it's a bit rustic (no flushing toilets), but very peaceful & we can work from here (there IS internet)... we're just thankful for something affordable & available!
here's where we are until it's safe to breathe in chiang mai:
http://www.thailandhavens.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29
in case you are interested, below is an excerpt from the latest message from the US Embassy regarding the air quality crisis:
Warden Message
March 15, 2007
This message alerts American citizens living in or visiting northern Thailand to the need to take appropriate health-related precautions due to the unhealthful air quality northern Thailand is currently experiencing. Air quality experts report that excessive trash burning, brush clearing, forest fires and other factors have resulted in severe air contamination in the areas surrounding Chiang Mai. According to the Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, air pollution levels in Chiang Mai have exceeded the maximum acceptable level since the beginning of March. On March 14, the level of particulate matter in the air exceeded the “emergency” level. Measurements at or near the “emergency” level are expected for at least the next several days.
Day-by-day particulate matter (PM 10) and air quality statistics are available in English on the Pollution Control Department website at http://www.pcd.go.th/AirQuality/Regional/Default.cfm and at the consulate’s website, http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/consulcm/index.htm.
American Citizen Services (ACS)
U.S. Embassy Bangkok
95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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