The majority of research about haze in Northern Thailand focused on the impacts from haze,
such as health impacts and economics losses due to reduction in tourist numbers. They also
focused on finding answers for abnormal increases in PM10 from January to April, and done
only on 1 – 2 years basis. Although most research concluded that open burning is an
important contributor of particulate matter pollution in Chiang Mai during the dry season
(January-April and October-December), especially in March, but Thailand is not the only
country that conducts burning during the dry season (from January to April). Significant
burning is also conducted in Laos and Myanmar (Bach and Siriomongkonlertkun, 2011).
Moreover, most GMS countries experience the highest amount of burning during March of
each year. This is in accordance with the increasing PM10 values in the upper northern region
of Thailand during the same period. The available research still lack of overall studies at the
national level, and the studies on the relationship between regional burning in nearby areas
and their impacts on the concentration of PM10 in Northern Thailand. These kinds of study
possibly will reduce arguments and questions that may arise from news coverage concerning
the haze problem from various perspectives. An example of arguments is that the smoke haze
in Northern Thailand is caused by burning activities originated in neighboring countries,
which much creates confusion and misunderstanding among the public. This research
therefore aimed to create true understanding about this problem.