QuestionChiang Mai
Burning season — when does smoke actually hit?
Traveler · 4h
Planning March visit for coworking month. Cancel or still OK with mask?
3 answers
Yo
Best answer
13
Burning season hits Chiang Mai Feb–April peak mid-March — farmers burn fields region-wide AQI 150+ Doi Suthep views gone. N95 daily air purifier room essential coworking month. Locals miserable outdoor cafes 2–5pm haze. Nov–Feb golden cool clear. March fixed watch IQAir bail south islands if spikes week. Not just city smoke — whole valley. Mask plus indoor cafes only realistic March nomads.
10
Feb–April worst, mid-March peak when farmers burn fields — AQI 150+ common, Doi Suthep views disappear. N95 daily, air purifier in room if you stay. Many nomads bail to islands or south. Nov–Feb golden (cool mornings, clear skies). If March is fixed, watch IQAir weekly and budget an escape. Outdoor cafes miserable 2–5pm in haze. Burning is regional, not just the city.
3
Stayed March once — left after 10 days south. Never again.