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Nestled in Thailand's deep south, Hat Yai serves as the economic and transportation hub of Songkhla Province, strategically positioned just 30 kilometers from the Malaysian border. This urban center sits at a modest elevation of approximately 30 meters above sea level within the flat coastal plains of the Malay Peninsula, surrounded by rubber plantations that dominate the agricultural landscape. The city's geography is characterized by its proximity to the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Songkhla Lake lagoon system to the north, creating a unique microclimate where maritime influences meet continental air masses. Hat Yai's urban character blends commercial density with sprawling suburban development along major highways, creating distinct urban–rural gradients where industrial zones transition into agricultural hinterlands. This location specifically affects air quality through multiple mechanisms: the city acts as a pollution convergence zone where local emissions from vehicle exhaust and construction dust mix with regional transboundary haze carried by prevailing winds from Malaysian and Indonesian forest fires. The surrounding rubber processing facilities release volatile organic compounds that interact with urban pollutants, while the flat terrain inhibits natural ventilation, allowing pollutants to accumulate during periods of stagnant air. The city's position along major transportation corridors between Thailand and Malaysia ensures constant vehicular emissions, exacerbated by road dust from unpaved areas during dry periods. This geographic context creates a complex air quality challenge where local urban sources intersect with regional agricultural and industrial activities across national boundaries.

Hat Yai's tropical wet-and-dry climate creates distinct seasonal patterns in air quality that directly impact residents and visitors throughout the year. During the dry season from January to March, pollution reaches its peak as northeasterly monsoon winds transport cross-border haze from agricultural burning in Malaysia and Indonesia, combining with local vehicle exhaust and construction dust under stable atmospheric conditions. These months feature frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, creating persistent haze that reduces visibility and elevates health risks—particularly problematic for sensitive groups like children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions who should limit outdoor activities during morning hours when pollution concentrations are highest. The transitional period from April to June brings increasing humidity and occasional thunderstorms that temporarily clear the air, though pre-monsoon heat can intensify ozone formation from vehicle emissions. From July to October, the southwest monsoon delivers cleansing rains that wash pollutants from the atmosphere, making this the most favorable period for outdoor activities with generally improved air quality despite occasional tropical storms. November and December mark another transitional phase where decreasing rainfall allows pollution to gradually accumulate again. Throughout the year, early morning fog often mixes with urban emissions, creating localized pollution episodes. Visitors planning outdoor activities should target the July-October period for optimal air conditions, while residents with health vulnerabilities should monitor daily conditions closely during peak pollution months and consider indoor air filtration during persistent haze events.