Out of control: Thailand chokes and blazes as 5,500+ fires burn

Thailand’s northern region today continued to suffer severe air pollution and spreading fires.

Thousands of northern residents have been hospitalized due to air pollution, which has been blanketed in increasingly hazardous levels of smog.

In a one-week period ending Saturday, nearly 3,500 residents were hospitalized for respiratory problems in Chiang Rai province alone. Most reported suffering respiratory symptoms such as sore throats and nasal irritation.

Residents have gathered to demand action. People in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district gathered Monday in front of the district office to demand the government address the agricultural burning and related air pollution problems. 

Chiang Rai authorities on Monday were seen handing out face masks to residents and motorists. Workers were dispatched to spray water from hoses in a performative but futile bid to…