That time of the year is upon us once again, the time where Chiang Mai and the surrounding provinces become a dangerous place to live and breathe.

For the lucky few, it’s time to pack up your bags and leave Chiang Mai for a few months, for most it’s the time where breathing becomes difficult, the smog becomes unbearable and the air quality in Chiang Mai reaches hazardous levels.

To help keep you up-to-date and to plan your days, we have added a new page for users to check the latest official air quality figures from Chiang Mai and selected locations across Thailand – Air Pollution in Chiang Mai, Thailand in a quick and simple way. An example of what you can expect to find can be seen here.

Current Air Pollution Levels in Chiang Mai

Find out more: Air Pollution in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Levels Explained

The above colour zones; Green, Yellow and Red zones have been calculated as follows.

PM10

The World Health Organization (WHO) 2005 air quality guidelines were used. This report sets a recommended limit of 50 µg/m3 in a 24-hour period and this has been presented in green. In order to help countries like Thailand to reduce their PM10 levels, the WHO published interim levels for which they have 3. The yellow area therefore represents interim level 3 which sets a limit of 75 µg/m3 in a 24-hour period. Anything above this is displayed in red which indicates a unhealthy air quality level.

PM-10 Level	Pollution Level	Colour
0-50	Low / Good	Green
50-75	Medium / Moderate	Yellow
75+	High / Unhealthy	Red

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Each country around the world has it’s own ‘Air Quality Index’ or AQI guidelines and terminology can differ for example some countries call this measurement the ‘Air Pollution Index’ API (see Wikipedia entry). This monitors a number of components including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulates (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3). Thailand too has it’s own formula for calculating their AQI level (see PCD explanation), which has been used here.

AQI Level	Pollution Level	Colour
0-50	Low / Good	Green
50-100	Medium / Moderate	Yellow
100+	High / Unhealthy	Red

What can we do to help?

Every year there is much talk about this major air quality issue, which usually includes many complaining about those who clear land through burning, the large increase in cars and trucks on the reads and the continuing development of green areas turning into concerete jungles.

In the past, lots of pressure has been put on local government and some positive action has been taken, for example the setup of a helpline to report illegal burning saw residents call in their masses.

Unfortunately the measures are only having a mild effect and as soon as levels return to “normal”, it’s all but forgotten for another year. More needs to be done, but what?

You can help

This website is lucky enough to receive a good number of visitors everyday, each of whom cares for Chiang Mai and is concerned for it’s welfare, especially when it comes to the rise in air pollution levels. We each have different skills and experience that enable us to suggest real ways to improve the situation.

We’d like to call on all of you now to get your thoughts on air quality in Chiang Mai:

• What do you think should be done?
• What measures should be put in place?
• What should local and national government be doing?
• How should local communities help?
• What can the expat community do to help?
• As a growing Chiang Mai community ourselves, what can we/should we do to help?

Please go to our forum now, take part in the discussion and lets work together to make a difference:

Forum Post: Air Pollution: What can we do about it?

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นายกเทศมนตรีนครเชียงใหม่ขอเรียนเชิญท่านเข้าร่วมประชุมในวันพฤหัสบดีที่ 24 กุมภาพันธ์ 2554 เวลา 16.30 น.
ณ ห้องประชุม 1 เกี่ยวกับการพัฒนาพื้นที่สีเขียว กรุณาแจ้งตอบรับให้ด้วยค่ะ ธมณวรรณ์ สมณะ
Please come along and share your ideas below:

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รัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย

_______________
หมวด ๓

สิทธิและเสรีภาพของชนชาวไทย
ส่วนที่ ๑ บททั่วไป
มาตรา ๒๖ (การใช้อำนาจโดยองค์กรของรัฐ)

การใช้อำนาจโดยองค์กรของรัฐทุกองค์กร ต้องคำนึงถึงศักดิ์ศรีความเป็นมนุษย์ สิทธิและเสรีภาพ ตามบทบัญญัติแห่งรัฐธรรมนูญนี้

CHAPTER III
Rights and Liberties of Thai People

Part 1

General Provisions
Section 26. In exercising powers of all State authorities, regard shall be had to human dignity, rights and liberties in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

ส่วนที่ ๑๐ สิทธิในข้อมูลข่าวสารและการร้องเรียน
มาตรา ๕๗ (สิทธิได้รับข้อมูล คำชี้แจง และเหตุผลจากหน่วยงานของรัฐ)
บุคคลย่อมมีสิทธิได้รับข้อมูล คำชี้แจง และเหตุผลจากหน่วยราชการ หน่วยงานของรัฐ รัฐวิสาหกิจ หรือราชการส่วนท้องถิ่น ก่อนการอนุญาตหรือการดำเนินโครงการหรือกิจกรรมใดที่อาจมีผลกระทบต่อคุณภาพสิ่งแวดล้อม สุขภาพอนามัย คุณภาพชีวิต หรือส่วนได้เสียสำคัญอื่นใดที่เกี่ยวกับตนหรือชุมชนท้องถิ่น และมีสิทธิแสดงความคิดเห็นของตนต่อหน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้องเพื่อนำไปประกอบการพิจารณาในเรื่องดังกล่าว
การวางแผนพัฒนาสังคม เศรษฐกิจ การเมือง และวัฒนธรรม การเวนคืนอสังหาริมทรัพย์ การวางผังเมือง การกำหนดเขตการใช้ประโยชน์ในที่ดิน และการออกกฎที่อาจมีผลกระทบต่อส่วนได้เสียสำคัญของประชาชน ให้รัฐจัดให้มีกระบวนการรับฟังความคิดเห็นของประชาชนอย่างทั่วถึงก่อนดำเนินการ

Part 10
Rights to Information and Petition
Section 57. A person shall have the right to receive information, explanation and justification from a government agency, State agency, State enterprise or local government organisation before permission is given for the operation of any project or activity which may affect the quality of the environment, health and sanitary conditions, the quality of life or any other material interest concerning him or a local community and shall have the right to express his opinions on such matters to the concerned agencies for their consideration. The State shall organise public consultation thoroughly before the making of social, economic, politic and cultural development plan, the expropriation of immovable property, the making of town and country planning, the determination of land use, and the enactment of rule which may affect material interest of the public.

มาตรา ๕๙ (สิทธิเสนอเรื่องราวร้องทุกข์)
บุคคลย่อมมีสิทธิเสนอเรื่องราวร้องทุกข์และได้รับแจ้งผลการพิจารณาภายในเวลาอันรวดเร็ว

Section 59. A person shall have the right to present a petition and to be informed of the result of its consideration within the appropriate time.

ส่วนที่ ๑๒ สิทธิชุมชน
มาตรา ๖๖ (สิทธิอนุรักษ์หรือฟื้นฟูภูมิปัญญาท้องถิ่นและทรัพยากรธรรมชาติสิ่งแวดล้อม)

บุคคลซึ่งรวมกันเป็นชุมชน ชุมชนท้องถิ่น หรือชุมชนท้องถิ่นดั้งเดิมย่อมมีสิทธิอนุรักษ์หรือฟื้นฟูจารีตประเพณี ภูมิปัญญาท้องถิ่น ศิลปวัฒนธรรมอันดีของท้องถิ่นและของชาติ และมีส่วนร่วมในการจัดการ การบำรุงรักษา และการใช้ประโยชน์จากทรัพยากรธรรมชาติสิ่งแวดล้อม รวมทั้งความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพอย่างสมดุลและยั่งยืน
มาตรา ๖๗ (สิทธิอนุรักษ์ บำรุงรักษา และได้ประโยชน์จากทรัพยากรธรรมชาติ)

สิทธิของบุคคลที่จะมีส่วนร่วมกับรัฐและชุมชนในการอนุรักษ์ บำรุงรักษา และการได้ประโยชน์จากทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ และในการคุ้มครอง ส่งเสริม และรักษาคุณภาพสิ่งแวดล้อม เพื่อให้ดำรงชีพอยู่ได้อย่างปกติและต่อเนื่องในสิ่งแวดล้อมที่จะไม่ก่อให้เกิดอันตรายต่อสุขภาพอนามัย สวัสดิภาพ หรือคุณภาพชีวิตของตน ย่อมได้รับความคุ้มครองตามความเหมาะสม
การดำเนินโครงการหรือกิจกรรมที่อาจก่อให้เกิดผลกระทบต่อชุมชนอย่างรุนแรงทั้งทางด้านคุณภาพสิ่งแวดล้อม ทรัพยากรธรรมชาติ และสุขภาพ จะกระทำมิได้ เว้นแต่จะได้ศึกษาและประเมินผลกระทบต่อคุณภาพสิ่งแวดล้อมและสุขภาพของประชาชนในชุมชน และจัดให้มีกระบวนการรับฟังความคิดเห็นของประชาชนและผู้มีส่วนได้เสียก่อน รวมทั้งได้ให้องค์การอิสระซึ่งประกอบด้วยผู้แทนองค์การเอกชนด้านสิ่งแวดล้อมและสุขภาพ และผู้แทนสถาบันอุดมศึกษาที่จัดการการศึกษาด้านสิ่งแวดล้อมหรือทรัพยากรธรรมชาติหรือด้านสุขภาพ ให้ความเห็นประกอบก่อนมีการดำเนินการดังกล่าว
สิทธิของชุมชนที่จะฟ้องหน่วยราชการ หน่วยงานของรัฐ รัฐวิสาหกิจ ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่นหรือองค์กรอื่นของรัฐที่เป็นนิติบุคคล เพื่อให้ปฏิบัติหน้าที่ตามบทบัญญัตินี้ ย่อมได้รับความคุ้มครอง

Part 12
Community Rights
Section 66. Persons assembling as to be a community, local community or traditional local community shall have the right to conserve or restore their customs, local wisdom, arts or good culture of their community and of the nation and participate in the management, maintenance and exploitation of natural resources, the environment and biological diversity in a balanced and sustainable fashion.
Section 67. The right of a person to participate with State and communities in the preservation and exploitation of natural resources and biological diversity and in the protection, promotion and conservation of the quality of the environment for usual and consistent survival in the environment which is not hazardous to his health and sanitary condition, welfare or quality of life, shall be protected appropriately. Any project or activity which may seriously affect the quality of the environment, natural resources and biological diversity shall not be permitted, unless its impacts on the quality of the environment and on health of the people in the communities have been studied and evaluated and consultation with the public and interested parties have been organised, and opinions of an independent organisation, consisting of representatives from private environmental and health organisations and from higher education institutions providing studies in the field of environment, natural resources or health, have been obtained prior to the operation of such project or activity.

The right of a community to sue a government agency, State agency, State enterprise, local government organisation or other State authority which is a juristic person to perform the duties under this section shall be protected.

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Chiang Mai Friends Group: Monthly Meeting
Meeting Date: Tuesday, 22nd February 2011
Time: 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Eco Resort www.ecoresortchiangmai.com Banrung Rat Rd, West side, Wat Ket,  South of UK Consulate.
Dinner: 250 THB for Members and 320 THB for Non-Members. No Dinner for 80 THB

The Agenda Items

• Report on CMF 3rd Anniversary by Sydney Moss
• Welcome new friends and members by David Le Roy and Tina
• Chiang Mai Friends Mission by Mark Hefner

Friends Talk (Syd/Boong)

In this monthly segment our guest speaker is Dr. Kriengsak Peerasaranyanont, Sub-Inspector of Chiang Mai Immigration. He has kindly agreed to speak to our friends and members on “The Immigration Project for foreigners living in Chiang Mai”. The immigration of Chiang Mai is willing to work closely to Chiang Mai Friends Group for visa and living in Chiang Mai services as well as visiting foreigner residents. After his talk we will open the floor for a Q/A session.

Cultural Tips: (Syd)

• Do you have any suggestions for this important segment? Our group would love to hear from you.
• Find out why Thai get upset when you say something simple (in your opinion). By Khun Boong

Friends News (Syd/Boong)

• Friends Caring Network, the idea by Ben Svesti Thompson, Honorary of British Consulate to take care of the expats elderly will meet on 23^rd FEB  17:00 hrs. Location: Raintree Resource Center, 3 Charoenmuang Road (2nd door east of the Police Box at the end of Naowarat Bridge)
• Vote for the category of Chiang Mai, The Creative City Network  on www.creativechiangmai.com by Martin Venzky Stalling
• Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Region invite you to join “ Save the environment Tourism, Cycling in 3 provinces (Chiang Mai-Lamphoon- Lampang )140 kilometers. Date : 26-28 FEB 2011. Registration at TAT Chiang Mai Tel 053-248604

• Improving our Language Skills – A suggestion made last year by John Schorr to encourage better Thai, English or any other language for that matter. Create a ‘Partner or Buddy System’ to help each other along with improving language skills. Example: A native Thai speaker who speaks some English to meet perhaps 3 times a week with a foreign resident to practice conversational Thai and for him/her to practice conversational English. Perhaps 45 minutes Thai and 45 minutes English. All languages are welcomed. Thank you John
• The “CMF Year Book – Colin Jarvis is looking forward to your contributions. Thank you Colin for taking this on for the group
• Don’t forget to send us your personal stories, accounts, experiences, pictures or anything we can use for Colin’s publication. Thank you!

OPEN FORUM – Syd

• Please add the Chiang Mai Friends domain to you ‘SAFE’ list……check your Spam Folder for our emails.

You are also urged to follow The Chiang Mai Friends Group on Facebook where you will get the latest and greatest updates, news, make and meet online friends and have the possibility to express your views and comments. Social Networking at it’s best!

Remember to spread the word about our unique group of friends and most importantly, YOUR FRIENDS ARE OUR FRIENDS! So please feel free to invite them along to our next meeting. Also, please encourage your Thai friends to come along.

–/ compiled by Sydney Moss
for Chiang Mai Friends Group

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Plastic safety posts for roads have been in use in Paris for over a decade.  Now they have been introduced by the Main Roads Department.

But while in Paris they separate bikes in the curb lane from heavy vehicles, here they have been installed at the Rincome intersection to indicate a dead-end lane.

Bike lanes in Chiang Mai streets such as Loi Kroh and around the moat have become close to invisible with no paint applied for many months. Moerover the request for plastic posts to make clear the presence of bike lanes has been ignored by the Municipality.

Perhaps it is time to relocate some of the gay pot plants the authorities prefer to spend their money on to line the bike lanes?

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So often “Exclusive” accomodation is surrounded by high concrete walls.

The recent Punna development however in Chiang Mai’s Nimmanhaemin Soi 6 has taken a different approach:

How do they achieve this attractive result and what about Secutiry you might ask.  Well as they say the devil is in the detail (see below). All that greenery hides otherwise unsightly barbed wire and so is certainly cow proof and also burglar un-friendly.  What is more it is “Low Carbon” with minimal use of concrete.

Should the City publish this as a preferred style of fencing and require a permit with public consultation for more Carbon structures?

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Many readers will know better thanthe author that the forests of SE Asia and all that comprise them from the bacteria, in the ground, to the plants and animals from tiny to giant size remain under threat, with many species still becoming extinct.

The International Year of the Forests gives those of us who care, a platform to advance nature conservation and for purposes of promotion nothing comes near a charismatic animal, like a beautiful Tiger or the Giant Panda for attracting sympathetic attention.

Usually cuddly, furry animals are best even if they are potential man eaters but the hard skinned Pangolin is very attractive in the way it moves and eats. Pangolin toys are also quite a hit with children it seems. And the sad plight of the Pangolin resulting from forest clearing and the so-called medicinal properties, which I guess are no more than  superstition, highlights the destruction of the forest in general. The lesson may be – if we save the Pangolin  - we save the forest.

I would hope the ASEAN countries, very much once a Pangolin land, could give a lead and I think that rather than dry scientific argument, or even photographs of Pangolins, presenting a lively cartoon character, which speaks the languages of people will be immediately attractive. It can be a way of having children persuade their elders to keep the animal’s habitat and reject the so-called traditional remedies from Pangolin skins to Bear bile.

So it seems to me we need some talented people who work in animation to do a short animation of a Pangolin character to present th idea and we need to find volunteers to work quickly.

I personally do not have any contacts in this field nor do I directly work on animal conservation but I thought some of your supporters would have the skills needed and might be prepared to volunteer.

We would also need some organisation which has established international and government links to notionally  the project. Perhaps the IUCN or WWF? I suspect readers might have ideas about this.

In a sense the Year of the Forest is like the Global Warming issue. Forest conservation is crucial to almost every individual conservation issue and a failure there means a failure every where. The lesson I draw is that, just as we all must set aside some of our work time to work to combat global warming,  so must we in this year work on forest conservation.

The matter of finance also is relevant as some money may be needed initially to seed the project until it, hopefully, gets ASEAN & UN sponsorship. you may have ideas about this. One thought is that companies which make toy Pangolins could very well be interested.

Please pass these thoughts around among your contacts and let us see if we can get some action.

Suggestions for a scenario:

I suggest it would be great to get a cartoon made with a pandolin being asked questions like “What is a forest?” etc. Answer My Home if you don’t mind!

If he is a Thai he could be called Panlop the Pandolin ( I have a friend Panlop). He could put trees into perspective: “The deader the better – so yummy termites can eat them”

Living trees – “Well ok…  They give nice shade and conserve moisture – and without moisture
my favourite food (yes termites) cannot survive – and they (the trees) must die some time and provide more termite food.”
“So yes let’s have more trees”  .. and bamboo!!

And why do you matter Mr Panlop ?
“Well the more termites I eat, the less methane the termites give off and as you may well know methane is 25 times as powerful a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide”.

So Cool the World – Keep the Pandolins.

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With the dry of the cold season and the coming hot weather until the rains come in May young trees suffer water stress.

A good 10 cm or more thickness of a mulch around trees helps conserve water in the soil and reduce the need for watering. Wikipedia has a helpful article on mulch.

This picture is of volunteer Mark carrying loads of chipped leaves and sticks at our regular Thursday morning working bee at the Railway Park Chiang Mai. We will need to keep watering young trees in the coming months and more volunteers are welcome to come along. We like to begin work around 7 a.m. to beat the midday heat.

Please let us know if you plan to come by calling 0849859668 .

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… skies are blue – so goes the song from the Wizard of Oz .

Wednesday 26th January 2011 saw a rainbow forest of “Autumn” leaves (dry Dipterocarp forest especially Shorea siamensis รัง ) and red flowering trees (Butea monosperma  ทองกวาว )ใ

This photo was taken along the road between Chiang Dao and Fang about 80 km from Chiang Mai city but to see it be quick as the leaves and flowers soon will drop and the sky will turn to a pale grey from smoke haze. On the return journey in the early evening three roadside fires, one in a government office compound and one large fire in the forest were seen. The Fire Brigade 199 number did not answer.

P.S. LOvers of Judy Garland can see At Film Space Saturday, February 5, 7 pm: The Wizard of Oz (1939)

CMU Fine Arts Faculty, Nimmanhaemin Rd.

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