Bangkok's 26 areas declared "nuisance problem control areas" Wednesday

By The Nation

 

 

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang was on Wednesday set to declare 26 “nuisance problem control areas” around the city to trigger more drastic measures for tackling the chronic air pollution.

 

 

The Pollution Control Department on Wednesday morning reported unsafe levels of PM2.5 – airborne particulates 2.5 microns or less in diameter – in 39 locales in and around the city, of which 23 were along main roads. 

 

The level hit 141 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre of air – nearly three times the safe limit of 50 – on Rama II Road in Muang Samut Sakhon. 

 

The situation was unlikely to improve in the afternoon and PM2.5 levels would remain high until February 4, it said.

 

The National Environment Board will meet on February 4 to consider lowering the safe limit from 50 to 35 for the next three to five years and then to 20 as recommended by the World Health Organisation in next 10 to 20 years. 

 

Governor Aswin said all related agencies and schools would be informed of “nuisance problem control area” designations so they can consider measures appropriate for each area. 

 

He said a centre to provide twice-daily updates on air pollution would be established.

 

 

A source at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said 26 districts with 76-100 micrograms of PM2.5 and some with 51-75 micrograms would be designated.

 

They include Sathorn, Bang Khen especially the front of Kasetsart University, Bang Khun Thien especially on Intharaphithak Road, Ratchathewee, Samphanthawong, Phayathai, Wang Thong Lang, Pathumwan, Bang Rak, Bang Kho Laem, Yannawa, Chatuchak, Bang Kapi, Lat Krabang, Thon Buri, Klong San, Bangkok Noi, Phasi Charoen, Bang Phlat, Phra Nakhon, Klong Toei, Bang Sue, Lak Si, Bung Kum, Bang Na and Din Daeng.

 

Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon could also be on the list. Natural Resources and Environment Minister General Surasak Karnjanarat said the governor of that adjacent province where air pollution has been severe for several consecutive days was authorised to declare nuisance problem control areas. 

 

The measures they trigger chiefly target diesel-engine exhaust, outdoor burning and construction activities.

 

The BMA source said Aswin would discuss dust control at construction sites with the BMA Department of Public Works, Mass Rapid Transit Authority and other agencies. 

 

Failure to abide by control-zone regulations could result in three months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Bt25,000.

 

The authorities might also consider installing air-quality measuring devices at tollgates for diesel-engine cargo trucks and press motorists using the expressways to use the automatic M-Pass toll system to reduce traffic congestion at the gates, the source said. 

The Highway Department spent Tuesday evening spraying water from high-pressure hoses at the Thap Chang 1 tollgate on Highway 9 in the Bang Phli-bound lane and at the Tap Chang 2 tollgate where traffic heads towards Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya. 

 

It was not known at press time whether the 20-micron water spray, fine enough that it would not affect driver visibility or cause flooding, was found to reduce pollution.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30363209

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-30

Could anyone recommend a place near Bangkok(2-3h drive) where the air quality is significantly better? The schools are close so it's a great opportunity to escape.

8 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Could anyone recommend a place near Bangkok(2-3h drive) where the air quality is significantly better? The schools are close so it's a great opportunity to escape.

Hua Hin?

19 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Hua Hin?

Yes, we thought about Cha am or Hua hin. How's the air quality down there at the moment, couldn't find any numbers on this website.

http://aqicn.org/city/all/

33 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Could anyone recommend a place near Bangkok(2-3h drive) where the air quality is significantly better? The schools are close so it's a great opportunity to escape.

Korat or Khao yai seem to be ok today. Showing 59 on air quality index compared to about 185 in BKK.

We're going there or Hua Hin.

 

5 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Yes, we thought about Cha am or Hua hin. How's the air quality down there at the moment, couldn't find any numbers on this website.

http://aqicn.org/city/all/

Same here.

Maybe someone from Hua Hin can let us know.

49 minutes ago, webfact said:

Governor Aswin said all related agencies and schools would be informed of “nuisance problem control area” designations so they can consider measures appropriate for each area. 

 

Well, in typical Thai fashion, there's a recipe for absolutely nothing helpful or productive to be done...

 

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Highway Department spent Tuesday evening spraying water from high-pressure hoses at the Thap Chang 1 tollgate on Highway 9 in the Bang Phli-bound lane and at the Tap Chang 2 tollgate where traffic heads towards Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya. 

 

It was not known at press time whether the 20-micron water spray, fine enough that it would not affect driver visibility or cause flooding, was found to reduce pollution.

 

The blind and the ignorant leading the.... well... no one....

 

Today thus far is one of the worst days, if not the worst day, thus far in this year's BKK smog season. The reading at Chula was up over 180 AQI earlier in the day.

 

13 minutes ago, Chippy151 said:

Same here.

Maybe someone from Hua Hin can let us know.

 

https://www.airvisual.com/thailand/prachuap-khiri-khan/hua-hin

 

 

Edited January 30, 20197 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

Just now, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

https://www.airvisual.com/thailand/prachuap-khiri-khan/hua-hin

 

Thank you.

The odd part about the current smog siege is...it appears to be entirely localized to Bangkok... No sign that it's blowing in from other similarly bad areas.... as has often been the case in the past.

 

Drastic measures include ,no incense burning after 9pm...wow I can breath better already....Amusing Thailand...

Incapable or unwilling to deal with the root cause.....or both ?


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50 minutes ago, Chippy151 said:

Korat or Khao yai seem to be ok today. Showing 59 on air quality index compared to about 185 in BKK.

We're going there or Hua Hin.

 

Korat, Khao yai looks better than Hua hin. Never been there, shall have look.

Hopefully it will kill the soi dogs off first ????

Not only Bangkok in Thailand,

 

South Korea has the same problems 

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/china-under-fire-as-south-korea-chokes-on-fine-dust-pollution-2kmb26rp5

 

https://www.rte.ie/news/newslens/2019/0128/1025957-south-korea-pollution/

11 hours ago, wreckingcountry said:

Incapable or unwilling to deal with the root cause.....or both ?

And what, pray tell, would that be?

https://www.airvisual.com/earth

18 hours ago, webfact said:

The level hit 141 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre of air – nearly three times the safe limit of 50 – on Rama II Road in Muang Samut Sakhon. 

The WHO limit is 25 micrograms per cubic metre - I suggest Thailand increase the safe limit to 150 so they can stay 'safe'.

Unfortunately, nothing will be accomplished