First Expat Gathering & Air Quality Discovery

Based on an earlier review of the Chiang Mai Expat Club website, Jay decided to attend the Computer Club meeting.

River Market Restaurant

We are repeating the strategy we have used in other new places. That is, in order to get integrated quickly, we make an effort to attend as many gatherings, dinners, museum openings, etc. as possible for the first six months.  You cannot meet people sitting in your apartment.

So out the door we went, called an Uber and headed off the River Market Restaurant located on the west bank of the Ping River.

We arrived early enough to have lunch and chat with expats as they gathered for the club meeting.

Bamboo Worms for Sale

Helen departed before the start of the meeting and explored the area around the restaurant.

She visited a nearby tourist office (pretty meager), the Waroros Market. . . bamboo worms anyone (click photo to enlarge) and the Surwong Book Center.

The Computer Club meeting was well attended by about 20 people.  There was a lively conversation on our collective and continual use of our smartphones.  The discussion evolved into ways to unplug from our buzzing and vibrating devices.

Chiang Mai Air Quality

Air Quality in Chiang Mai

The major learning from the meeting, however, was the review of a website providing insight on the air quality in Chiang Mai.

The banner on the website showed the air quality as Unhealthy.

Many expats have shared that they leave Chiang Mai during the burning season that occurs from February through March.

We later read an article in the English language Chiang Mai based magazine called City Life about the environmental impact of the agricultural burning on the city's air quality.  The article, Stop Complaining and Do Something About It!,  stated that:

"Greenpeace’s city rankings for the 2016 burning season places Chiang Mai in 1st place of the five top worst cities in Thailand. Over the past three years we have risen from 4th place, to 3rd place, now 1st. Based on the Greenpeace report, air pollution is responsible for cutting short 50,000 lives every year."

Yikes!

This burning occurs when farmers burn crop waste (e.g., corn waste: 2,020,000 tons).  We have already seen the impact of this burning as the mountains that surround the city have disappeared into a haze.  It is common to see people wearing masks as they walk the street.  It appears a face mask is standard issue to the Chiang Mai motorcycle police squad.

Did we already say yikes?!?

During the meeting, the air pollution of category PM2.5 (particulate matter - 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller) was noted as the one that is of the biggest concern.  This category records particles that are released into the air by combustion.

Chiang Mai has a PM2.5 rating of 150+.  A healthy rating for this category in 0 - 50.

Can we get a collective "Yikes!"

Living Accommodations

Frangipani Serviced Apartment

Jay continued information gathering on accommodation options in Chiang Mai.

On our radar was the Frangipani Serviced Apartment (11/1 Soi 13 Prapokklao Road, Chiang Mai, 50200).

This accommodation is located on a quiet street next to Wat Chiang Man in the Old City.  

This hotel/service apartment is very nice and offers some rooms with balconies.  A discussion with proprietor (Lakshmi) indicated rooms cost around 40,000+ baht / month.

Travel Tips

• You may want to avoid travel to Chiang Mai during the burning season (Feb - Mar).  Check Google for more information.
• Air quality in Chiang Mai should be a factor in visiting / living in Chiang Mai.  Also refer to OurChiangMai.com for more information on local air quality.