The Thai island of Phuket, a hugely popular destination for sunseekers, awoke on Wednesday to find its beaches mired beneath a grey cloud. The hazardous smog that has submerged Southeast Asia for the past few weeks had finally shrouded the holiday isle.
It is highly unusual for the annual haze, caused by illegal forest fires in Indonesia, to reach Thailand (the last time is believed to be in 1997). But this might be one of the worst occurrences yet. Reduced visibility delayed flights onto the island, while the noxious pollutants advanced health concerns, according to the Bangkok Post.
These are not typical holiday conditions by any stretch, as you can see for yourself below:
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Eyewitness Accounts From the Trump Rally Shooting
- From 2022: How the Threat of Political Violence Is Transforming America
- ‘We’re Living in a Nightmare:’ Inside the Health Crisis of a Texas Bitcoin Town
- Remembering Shannen Doherty , the Quintessential Gen X Girl
- How Often Do You Really Need to Wash Your Sheets?
- Why Mail Theft Is on the Rise
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Write to Mark Rivett-Carnac at mark.rivett-carnac@timeasia.com