Chiang Mai’s New Year revelry hit by smog and war-related price spikes

T he Doi Suthep temple in northern Thailand is known for its spectacular views of Chiang Mai and the lush forested mountains that surround it. Over recent weeks, though, visitors can see little of the city beyond a thick cloud of grey haze. Persistent wildfires have caused intense air pollution across the north of Thailand, forcing three provinces to declare emergencies and triggering spikes in pollution-related illnesses. The haze is yet another blow to tourism businesses already affected by the US-Israel war on Iran , which has disrupted flights and driven up operating costs, prompting Thailand’s tourism authority to revise down the national target for international arrivals by as much as 18%. But people fear the pollution crisis could have an even more costly impact on their businesses. “Chiang Mai’s selling point is the chance to stay in the mountains, breathing fresh air. But when the dust comes, it destroys everything,” says Pitsamai Tuprit, 37, who runs the tour company Kai ...