Pollution choking Thailand's north hits tourism, worries public

High levels of air pollution is seen in the mountains around Chiang Mai on April 10. - AFP

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, April 10 (Reuters): High pollution levels in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai and surrounding provinces are keeping tourists away and alarming locals, with the government on Monday urging residents to avoid outdoor activities.

For several weeks last month the city was at the top of air quality information platform IQAir's global chart on poor air quality, ahead of Lahore and New Delhi.