Chiang Mai dust crisis worsens with more children having nosebleeds

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