Northern Thailand experiences smoke
and haze problems which are caused by wildfi res
and open-space burning, and has resulted in
environmental problems, which have negatively
affected the regional climate, the environment and
socio-economic development, and in particular
the health of the region’s population (Pollution
Control Department, 2012). This problem with
adverse socio-economic and health impacts has
become an emerging new “disaster” issue over the
last few years, especially in northern Thailand. The
unprecedented smoke haze that has blanketed all
areas in the northern highland region of Thailand
is a recent problem that the local population must
endure every year. The smoke haze situation
directly affects the air quality in many areas