Northern Thailand and neighbouring countries are being hit by worsening haze, as fire activity increases across the Mekong region.
More than 1,450 fire hotspots were detected in Thailand alone at the end of March 2026, according to satellite data from the EU’s Copernicus Programme.
The haze is linked to seasonal burning in rural and agricultural areas across Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, where land is cleared by fire during the dry season.
Satellite imagery shows dense smoke spreading across borders, with terrain such as valleys and mountains causing it to stretch across large areas.
