A foreign national died yesterday on the way to Thailand’s tallest mountain, and suspicion quickly turned to the high temperatures and severe air pollution that have gripped the northern province of Chiang Mai.
The man, whose nationality has yet to be confirmed, lost consciousness Sunday afternoon at a car park on Doi Inthanon where he was headed with a tour group in a minivan.
He was found at around 1pm and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. His body was sent to the Chom Thong Hospital in Chiang Mai for autopsy.
While the cause of death was not immediately clear, officials presume he had underlying health conditions.
On Sunday, Chiang Mai had the worst air pollution in the world, along with high humidity and heat that worsened conditions.
Doctors in Chiang Mai have urged residents to refrain from outdoor activities and use an air purifier at home, especially if they have children, seniors or residents with chronic diseases whose health is at risk.
Very fine pollution known as PM2.5 can travel deeply into the respiratory tract and reach the lungs. Exposure to fine particles can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to eyes, nose, throat and lungs, as well as coughing, sneezing, a runny nose and shortness of breath.
The air pollution remained at unhealthy levels in Chiang Mai on Monday, it was considered unhealthy for vulnerable groups in Bangkok.
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