This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows bags of microbial solution Soil Digest to be given to farmers by Chiang Rai's Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), in Chiang Rai province. Rice farmers Siriporn and Amnat Taidee used to burn their paddy fields between plantings -- a common method of clearing crop residue partly blamed for toxic smog that blankets much of Thailand every spring. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with 'THAILAND-POLLUTION-ENVIRONMENT-AGRICULTURE-SCIENCE,FOCUS' by Chayanit ITTHIPONGMAETEE and Sally JENSEN