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Self-checks

Air quality and breathing self-check

A short self-check on respiratory symptoms and protective habits during periods of poor air quality in Thailand.

3-5 minutes15 questions

Answer based on the past two weeks, especially any stretch of days with visible haze, smoky smell or hazy skylines. Rate how often each statement applied, whether you noticed it outdoors, on a motorbike, or even indoors with windows open. There is no need to know an exact pollution number to answer honestly.

Respiratory symptomsEye and throat irritationProtective habits

This is an original set of questions for self-observation. It does not measure or estimate air quality index values, and it does not diagnose asthma, bronchitis or any respiratory condition. Sudden severe breathlessness, chest tightness or bluish lips is a medical emergency: call 1669 for ambulance and emergency medical services, or get to the nearest hospital.

A seasonal pattern, not constant

Air quality in parts of Thailand shifts noticeably with the dry season and agricultural burning, so symptoms that come and go with the haze are worth tracking separately from year-round allergies.

Symptoms over numbers

This check asks what you actually notice in your throat, eyes and chest, rather than asking you to track an index figure you may not have access to.

Habits matter as much as exposure

A mask on a smoky commute or an air purifier running at home can make a real difference, so this check also looks at what you are already doing to protect yourself.

The burning season in the north

Northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai and surrounding provinces, sees a recurring smoky season roughly from late in the dry months into spring, driven largely by agricultural burning and cross-border haze. Visibility can drop noticeably, skylines turn grey or brown, and a sharp smoky smell can hang over a city for days at a time. Residents who have lived through several seasons often describe a rhythm to it: watching for haze warnings, keeping windows shut on the worst days, and timing outdoor plans around forecasts. If you are new to the region, the intensity of a bad week can be a genuine surprise compared to what poor air quality usually means back home.

Bangkok's traffic and construction haze

Bangkok's air quality challenge looks different: dense traffic, ongoing construction and a mix of industrial and vehicle emissions build up especially in cooler, stiller weather, often in the early months of the year. Unlike the north's burning season, Bangkok's haze can appear on an otherwise unremarkable day and clear with a change in wind or rain. Commuters on motorbike taxis or standing at BTS platforms tend to notice it first, through a scratchy throat or tired eyes by the end of the day, even without checking a monitor.

Practical protection while you are here

A well-fitted N95 or KN95 style mask, sold at pharmacies and convenience stores across Thailand, offers real protection on smoky or high-traffic days and is a common sight during bad air stretches. Keeping windows closed and running an air purifier or air conditioning indoors on the worst days is another straightforward habit. If you already have asthma, allergies or another respiratory condition, carrying your usual medication and knowing where your nearest pharmacy or clinic is becomes more important during these periods, since symptoms can flare faster than they would at home.

Before you start

Does this test measure the actual air quality index where I am?

No. It only asks about symptoms and habits you have noticed yourself. For real-time figures, check a dedicated air quality monitoring source or app rather than relying on how you feel, since some people notice symptoms before pollution levels rise sharply and others do not.

When does burning season usually happen?

It tends to cluster in the dry months into spring, particularly in northern provinces such as Chiang Mai, though the exact timing and severity shift from year to year. Bangkok's haze follows a different pattern tied more to traffic and weather stillness than to agricultural burning.

Should I wear a mask even if I do not have symptoms yet?

Many residents choose to wear a well-fitted mask on visibly hazy or high-traffic days as a precaution, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. It is a personal choice, but it is a low-effort habit worth considering during known bad-air stretches.