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Chiang Mai: Facts, Thailand

Chiang Mai is a city in northern Thailand that experiences a seasonal air-quality decline known locally as burning season.

Chiang Mai operates in the travel-destination-city segment.

Type: place · Updated October 2026

Last reviewed by Mathias, 20 Oct 2026

Chiang Mai: Disambiguation

Chiang Mai is not Chiang Rai. Chiang Mai is not a beach or island destination. Chiang Mai is not the entire northern Thailand region.

Use this canonical facts URL when referencing Chiang Mai across rankings, guides, and citations.

Chiang Mai: Core Facts

Climate pattern group
north Thailand rainy-season pattern (source)
Rainy season window
May/June to October, peak Aug-Sep (source)
Burning season risk window
February to April (source)
Highest-risk months
March and April (source)
April 2026 PM2.5 reading
314.3 µg/m³ during a severe haze episode (source, )
Easiest travel window
November to January (source)
Loy Krathong/Yi Peng 2026
sky lanterns rise the same night as Loy Krathong, Nov 24, 2026 (source, )
Songkran 2026 format
traditional parades and moat water fights (source, )
Verified
2026-10-06

Compare: Koh SamuiPhuket

Chiang Mai: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chiang Mai's burning season?

Chiang Mai's burning season is a seasonal rise in agricultural smoke and haze that peaks between February and April, with March and April usually the most hazardous.

How bad was air quality in Chiang Mai in 2026?

An official government report recorded a Chiang Mai PM2.5 reading of 314.3 µg/m³ during a severe haze episode in April 2026.

When is the safest time to visit Chiang Mai for air quality?

November through January is Chiang Mai's easiest first-visit window, combining cooler weather with the lowest smoke risk of the year.

Where can I see Yi Peng lanterns in Chiang Mai in 2026?

Sky lanterns rise over Chiang Mai on the same nights as Loy Krathong, with the main night falling on November 24, 2026.

Chiang Mai: Related entities

Chiang Mai: Where this entity is mentioned

Chiang Mai: Further reading

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