Most people want PM to use “bitter pill” to deal with smog problem: Suan Dusit Poll

 

Most people in and around Bangkok feel that the smog problem has reached a critical level and that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should invoke his special powers under Section 44 of the interim Constitution to impose more stringent measures to tackle the problem, according to a Suan Dusit Poll organized by Suan Dusit University.

 

Meanwhile, people in Bangkok and its surroundings can enjoy temporary relief today as the smog situation has improved considerably, with only five areas reported by the Pollution Control Department as having excessive levels of PM2.5 dust particles above the 50-micron level.

 

However, the department warned that the relief would be short-lived as the situation is very likely to deteriorate again due to stale air and poor air circulation.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/most-people-want-pm-to-use-bitter-pill-to-deal-with-smog-problem-suan-dusit-poll/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-02-03

4 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should invoke his special powers under Section 44 of the interim Constitution to impose more stringent measures to tackle the problem,

War on the neighbouring countries burning forest and rice fields would be the only way IMHO.

Edited February 3, 20197 yr by BritManToo

Might help if the general population changed their ways.

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

War on the neighbouring countries burning forest and rice fields would be the only way IMHO.

Plus ban all diesel pickups and other diesel vehicles from the roads. Too much tax cust have been given so people could have cheap but polluting big pickups. Normal cars on benzine are less polluting. 

 

Best thing would be if they really went on finding the cars that belch black smoke and go after them all the time not just sometimes.

A general invoking special powers could anything go wrong ????

12 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

as having excessive levels of PM2.5 dust particles above the 50-micron level.

thailand's own self-imposed standard; half that of the WHO standard for fine particulate matter; that is what underdeveloped countries do

The Thai people have only themselves to blame. If they had not angered Uncle Number One with all this frivolous ‘democracy’ talk he would have already used his magical molasses and supernatural powers to clear the air. To find salvation the people must repent, turn away from evil foreign ideologies and love Uncle Number One. Just ask him...

 

 

Edited February 3, 20197 yr by Hayduke

They love a good poll... 

Comes in at a close 2nd to "social media meltdown"

can't have it both ways; do you want a democracy or do you want your leader to pull out special powers when it is convenient.

54 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

War on the neighbouring countries burning forest and rice fields would be the only way IMHO.

You're psychic BritManToo. Perhaps this is why the buildup of tanks, guns, submarines, helicopters and fighter jets (plus whatever else). Like a good general, he's getting well prepared for war on the neighbours over pollution.

Taking the ancient diesel buses off the road would be a good start. Also would think they could use helicopters to identify burning areas. I suspect they are afraid to do much because of the impending election. 

How stupid are these people ????

Everybody knows that the only way to solve this problem is to wear lucky charm amulets and have all monks come to BKK and pray......

No need to think about pollution, garbage and cleaning up, when it can be solves so easy (Sarcasm) ......

Go Go Thailand 4.1..... Bring in the monks... 


 

we had very light rain last night in Hua Hin that was moving north.

 

i watched it on radar (because that is what people do in Hun Hin on a Saturday night) and it did not make it to Bangkok. 

 

 

20 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i watched it on radar (because that is what people do in Hun Hin on a Saturday night) 

 

Livin' the dream :)

'Most people' want everybody else to stop driving around or running a business creating pollution, but don't want themselves included. Halting all private vehicle use would no doubt do the job but the public would be furious. Human nature, solve our problem but don't expect us to give up anything.

They can invoke Article 44, but I seriously doubt they have any realistic plans.  Maybe spray more water in the air.  They will probably do everything except to address the root causes. 

 

the Poll confirms what I surmised, sometime last week...

... that he needed to 'Suck It Up'

 

 

President Hoover re-incarnate

16 minutes ago, Lungstib said:'Most people' want everybody else to stop driving around or running a business creating pollution, but don't want themselves included. Halting all private vehicle use would no doubt do the job but the public would be furious. Human nature, solve our problem but don't expect us to give up anything.

Absolutely.  I wonder how many Bangkok expats would park their cars, and then walk or take the BTS.

2 hours ago, robblok said:

Plus ban all diesel pickups and other diesel vehicles from the roads. Too much tax cust have been given so people could have cheap but polluting big pickups. Normal cars on benzine are less polluting. 

 

Best thing would be if they really went on finding the cars that belch black smoke and go after them all the time not just sometimes.

"... Best thing would be if they really went on finding the cars that belch black smoke and go after them all the time not just sometimes...."

 

Totally agree!!!!!

 

After all this time and all this nonsense the Thai people still don't get that handing absolute power to anyone is NOT the solution to their problem (whatever problem). 

 

The thinking is so small minded and backward at times you despair for any sort of better future 

42 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

'Most people' want everybody else to stop driving around or running a business creating pollution, but don't want themselves included. Halting all private vehicle use would no doubt do the job but the public would be furious. Human nature, solve our problem but don't expect us to give up anything.

I don't believe transportation adds significantly to the problem, the problem is thousands of acres of forest and stubble being burnt all over SEA.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

War on the neighbouring countries burning forest and rice fields would be the only way IMHO.

That is not the main problem at this point in time

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

War on the neighbouring countries burning forest and rice fields would be the only way IMHO.

I knew those Chinese tanks would come in handy.  Cheers to the Army.

An ambulence went whizzing past me in Jomtien at about 5AM a few days ago...if may have been trying to save the life of it's passenger....but it was slowly killing the rest of the population who were fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be ojtside of it....deep black smoke was billowing and belching out of it. Bearing that in mind the amount of money some hospitals make in Thailand?

37 minutes ago, sandrew33 said:

After all this time and all this nonsense the Thai people still don't get that handing absolute power to anyone is NOT the solution to their problem (whatever problem). 

 

The thinking is so small minded and backward at times you despair for any sort of better future 

The Thai people did not give absolute power to anyone.

 

It was stolen from them by a coup by men with guns and it unlikely that it will be returned to the at the next "democratic" election, whenever that will be.

"Most People " should  stop causing pollution themselves. 

Ama,ing they know the law and constitution articles????

WHO statistics show Thailand killed 26,000 people last year from air pollution. If section 44 is used to stop the problem then why isnt it used for the huge loss of life everyday, every holiday period on the roads?

Chiang Mai I have lived in for over 12 years, every February/March has a massive smog issue as agricultural workers burn off fields. Every year BIB threatens big fines ( never happened) maybe this year we can use section 44, LOL.

the good general has already 'cracked the whip' what else can he do? smog does not follow orders. on the thai news they are saying levels are getting lower but some people are showing pictures of nose bleeds and blood shot eyes. not sure if they are real photos or fake.

Instead of Chinese investment in military items, they should have bought new buses. The few coal burning plants, one on way to Chachonsao and then there is another down near on the Chao Playa I think just 5 km south of the Kanchanaphisek bridge.  Big factors of bad air. Small - medium factory that spew fumes from what they are making contributes lots as well. Motorbikes that smoke. YEP! Tuk tuks. YEP! Old pick ups used for delivery. YEP! Medium size delivery trucks, normally flat beds.

 

A lot of the taxi in bkk run on lpg rather than gasoline.  I did see one big rig out on the highway using the lpg containers in a tandem behind the passenger cab.  So they do have some alternatives to diesel.  In the decades I was in Thailand  bangkok upgraded the bus fleets quite a few times.  It seems to be long overdue now.  Might be time to upgrade to buses with different engines.

 

With all the sun and thermal heat in Thailand you wonder why solar and thermal energy isn't used to power electric buses and cars.  Perhaps they can invite Elon Musk back and get him to stop yelling obscenities at the cave divers and get him to help them get some electric cars.  ????????

 

Electric cars are no longer a play toy there are millions of units in service now all over the world.  Many countries have set very high goals to switching over from ICE (internal combustion engines).  Why is thailand lagging so far behind?

 

This problem can't be solved next week by emergency powers.  It will take a while once some rational decisions are made to clean up the air.