Paiboon Wattanasiritham, social development and human security minister, told reporters Wednesday that the haze could remain for at least a month, which industry experts say will impact tourism and business in the region.

The worst affected provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun have reported hazardous levels of particles in the air, and visibility has been reduced to as little as 800 metres (half a mile).

No air quality measurements have yet been taken in Chiang Rai, but officials said the situation there was as bad as in Chiang Mai.

"(Chiang Rai) Governor Amornpan Nimanan has declared a disaster zone... and ordered all government agencies to work together to resolve the haze," said Kittirat Sornsue, head of the provincial disaster agency.

Air quality is measured in micrograms of particles of matter per cubic metre, with 120 considered unhealthy, and 300 considered dangerous.

On Wednesday morning, the Thai Pollution Control Department website reported air quality levels of 382.7 in Chiang Mai, a mountainous province popular with tourists.

Officials in Chiang Mai said they did not plan to declare a provincial emergency, but advised people to stay indoors or wear a face mask.

Thai think tank Kasikorn Research said the haze in the north could cause a two billion baht (60.7 million dollar) loss in tourism revenue for the region.

"March and April are very significant for tourism in the north because of school vacations and long holidays," it said in a statement.

Flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son were suspended for the third consecutive day.

Global environmental campaigner Greenpeace on Wednesday urged Thailand to declare a environmental emergency in the north, which would give the government the authority to evacuate towns and stop farmers from setting fires.

However, Paiboon said the government would hold off on declaring such an emergency, instead leaving it up to individual provinces to decide whether to declare a local disaster zone, but he added: "If (the haze) worsens the government will declare an emergency."

He told reporters that artificial rainmaking machines would be deployed to try and alleviate the haze, while all hospitals have been ordered to prepare for an increasing number of patients.

"All residents, please stay indoors and use masks or damp clothes to cover your noses," Paiboon urged.

The public health ministry has distributed 300,000 surgical masks and enlisted 100,000 health volunteers to distribute the masks and offer advice about possible respiratory problems.

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The Air We Breathe at TerraDaily.com