Bangkok residents warned of escalating air pollution, urged to work remotely
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has issued a warning for residents of Bangkok regarding the anticipated escalation of ultra-fine particle pollution in the air. The situation is expected to worsen by Wednesday, prompting the PCD to advise individuals living in the capital to opt for remote working until the air quality improves.
According to Preeyaporn Suwanakate, the director-general of the PCD, the intensifying accumulation of PM2.5 pollutants is a result of compromised air circulation in several areas across the city. This problem is mainly attributed to a combination of low atmospheric pressure and fluctuating wind patterns, which leads to the buildup of pollutants.
The current winds from the South will soon be replaced by winds from the East and Northeast, which will transport pollutants from other regions into Bangkok, further exacerbating the air pollution issue.
In response to the department’s warning, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ramped up its efforts to monitor all pollution sources within the city. Additionally, the BMA has instructed schools to establish dust-free rooms in kindergartens and schools under its jurisdiction.
To combat air pollution, government agencies and companies are strongly encouraged to support remote working, as commuting within the city significantly contributes to the pollution problem.
In addition, the government is offering up to 55% discounts to those who plan to change their engine oil and oil filters, in an effort to further mitigate pollution.
Satellite imagery from Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) has identified a significant number of hotspots in recent days. On January 9, there were 1,566 hotspots, followed by 1,139 on January 10, and 1,023 on January 11.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been briefed on the situation and intends to discuss the matter with his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, during the latter’s visit to Thailand on February 7.
Prior to this, PM Srettha announced that Thailand and Cambodia would establish a joint task force to address transboundary haze pollution, according to a report by Bangkok Post.
Preeyaporn also mentioned that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has requested the secretary-general of Asean to persuade all countries within the Greater Mekong Subregion to take preventive measures against forest fires and crack down on activities that contribute to transboundary haze, such as slash-and-burn farming.
Currently, Gistda collaborates with several institutions, including the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, to monitor the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok.
As of 10 am on Sunday, hazardous pollution levels were reported in 33 districts of Bangkok, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the safe exposure limit of 37.5 µg/m³. These districts include Phra Khanong, Don Muang, Lak Si, Bang Na, Prawet, Klong Toey, Suan Luang, and Sai Mai. Additionally, PM2.5 levels in 34 other provinces, mainly in the North and Central Plains, also surpassed the safety threshold.
In Chiang Mai, farmers are advised to plough their rice fields instead of burning the rice straw, which aggravates haze pollution. Farmers who lack tractors for ploughing are encouraged to register on the Fire-D application, which was developed to monitor forest fires. The governor of Chiang Mai, Nitirat Pongsitthithaworn, has instructed relevant agencies to provide tractors to farmers in need.
Furthermore, a budget will be allocated to purchase fuel for these tractors, aiming to discourage the need for burning. Nitirat has also tasked the chiefs of 25 districts in the northern provinces with persuading farmers to refrain from burning farmland.
Initial estimates predicted that over 100,000 rai of farmland would be affected by burning. However, following negotiations, many farmers have agreed to discontinue burning and adopt alternative methods for eliminating rice straw. This will save more than 70,000 rai from fires, the governor said.
The PCD’s warning and the local authorities’ efforts underscore the severity of the air pollution crisis in Bangkok. Residents are strongly advised to take precautions and prioritize their health and well-being by working remotely whenever possible, as the city grapples with this ongoing issue.
