Smoke season survival guide
February to April, PM2.5 often passes 100 µg/m³. How residents work, sleep and exercise through it, or when to leave.
Updated Apr 2026Checked by 31 residents7 min read
What to expect
Burning in the hills and across the border pushes PM2.5 far above the Thai 24-hour limit of 37.5 µg/m³. The worst weeks are usually mid-March to early April.
At home
- One HEPA purifier per room you sleep or work in
- Seal gaps around windows and AC pipes with tape
- Change filters every 6–8 weeks during the season
Working
- Pick coworkings with measured indoor PM2.5 under 15 (see Clean-air spots on Today)
- Malls are reliable fallbacks: Maya, One Nimman, Central Festival
Exercise
Move workouts indoors when the US AQI is above 100. Ping's Today screen tells you each morning.
When to leave
- Krabi, Koh Lanta and Phuket usually stay under AQI 50
- Book flights early; prices double in late March
Sources
Air4ThaiDustBoy (CMU)NASA FIRMSResident reports ×31