Author: Thanatatch Kittisakdamrong
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.DS-25-04
Year: 2026
Academic Program: Development and Sustainability (DS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2025
Examination Committee: Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen (Chairperson); Kyoko Kusakabe, Ekbordin Winijkul (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Fine Particulate matter (PM2.5) has become a serious environmental and public health concern, particularly in Chiang Mai area, which bears the largest PM2.5-related morbidity in northern Thailand. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate: (1) The correlation of PM2.5 level (burning ban seasons and seasonal concentration differences) with Inpatient admissions (2) Residents’ perception and adjustments to the haze and (3) Response to governmental measures. For quantitative analysis, inpatient admissions and PM2.5 concentrations during the burning ban seasons were examined using partial correlation techniques, with adjustments for the impacts of Covid-19. In addition, year-over-year differences (DIFF) in PM2.5 levels were included to capture abrupt seasonal fluctuations.The findings revealed a statistically significant association between the average concentration of PM2.5 during the burning ban seasons and ischemic heart disease. In contrast, heart failure and cerebral infarction showed moderate correlations, though these were not statistically significant. For Diff Analysis, it is indicated that IHD, HF and CI, Asthma and Pneumonia appeared to be more sensitive to abrupt changes in pollution levels. For the qualitative analysis, 40 interviews were conducted and categorized into different affected groups. Some initial coping measures were passively adopted under constraint, such as mask-wearing and limiting outdoor activities. However, the ability to adapt to haze varied across groups, and these differences continued to reproduce and reinforce existing layers of social and health inequality.Participants viewed government actions as predominantly symbolic and reactive, placing the burden of managing public environmental goods on individuals. They pointed out that official responses lacked structural support and failed to seriously address the impact. Four key recommendations emerged: (1) Urgent protective and informational support is needed for vulnerable health groups
Scholarship Donor(s): Royal Government of Thailand
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development and Sustainability
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