. Conclusion
In this study, the authors have studied the significant relationship between the increase in PM10 levels and open burning behaviors of local people. Besides, PM10 levels, which represents the concentrations of small dust particles in the air, this mainly peaked in March when open burning was mostly conducted. According to satellite image classification of the years 2007 and 2010, interpretation results indicated that there was an increase of open burning by 1.06% in 2010. In addition, most of the burning was repeatedly conducted in the same areas, especially in the forest, with the purpose of preparing the land for next cultivation. These facts can best reflect burning behavior of local people in Chiang Rai. However, in the case that some burning areas have decreased in some districts, it might be the result of changing land use of local people, as the lands were used to plant rubber trees instead of annual crops. Therefore, changing land use should be considered as an option for reducing open burning which is the major cause of the smoke haze problem.