Chiang Mai residents sue govt over perpetual air pollution crisis

Residents in Chiang Mai are suing the Government of Thailand for years of neglect in failing to tackle the region’s perpetual air pollution problem.

Yesterday, about 1,700 Chiang Mai residents filed a lawsuit in the Administrative Court against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and two state agencies for their failure to address the annual dense smog that blankets the region.

The plaintiffs claim that this smog is causing a reduction in their lifespans by approximately five years. About 60 people gathered at the Administrative Court in the northern province to initiate legal proceedings against PM Prayut, the National Environmental Board, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

They are alleging that these entities have neglected their duty to use their power to resolve the smog issue in North Thailand.

The class action lawsuit brought by around 1,700 plaintiffs comprises…