Northern region still dogged by air pollution

By THE NATION

 

 

Air pollution in the north is still a problem, although particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) has decreased since Sunday.

 

The Pollution Control Department found the PM2.5 range to be between 37 and 136 micrograms per cubic metre today (March 23), while the safe level is under 50 micrograms.

 

Chiang Mai, as of 4.28pm, was ranked the second most polluted city in the world by the AirVisual application, having an air quality index of 153 and 59.4 micrograms of PM2.5.

 

On Friday, the PM2.5 level in this province measured 295.7 micrograms.

 

Chiang Rai province and 18 other areas in the region also had unhealthy levels of PM2.5.

 

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa asked relevant agencies on Friday to instruct local people on the problem, especially the negative effects of forest burning.

 

The minister enjoined the agencies to strictly prevent such burning. He urged them to take action against those setting fires in forests.

 

In addition, Varawut’s ministry is closely collaborating with the Asean secretary-general and other Mekong countries to tackle air pollution caused by forest fires in Thailand and neighbouring nations.

 

Bangkokbiznews newspaper said the pollution problem this year is three to four times more severe than in previous years.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384675

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-23

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Alot of other places also. Places in Kanchanaburi have been really bad all day today and the past few days. Where i am its the same stupid people constantly lighting fires. Authroities are too lazy and scared to stop anyone here.

Today a very heavy cloud of smoke wafted by our house in south Pattaya. I could first smell the smoke, then AQI in the meter jumped from 6 to 38 indoors. When I went out there was acrid smoke in the air. In the middle of the bloody day. It was gone about an hour later. Brazen bastards burning in the day. There's no hope.

The pm2.5 was 200 at 0900 south of CNX. 

Needless to say that high pm 2.5 levels weakens your lung functions, heart and general well being, which might be detrimental in case of a chinese-virus infection.

Quite a number fires West of Chiang Mai. It's going to be smoking tonight and 2moro IMHO...https://www.airvisual.com/air-quality-map?lat=18.7446293&lng=99.0861594&zoomLevel=15

It almost seems like this government really doesn’t care about the air quality in Thailand they can put a stop to it and clean up this air if they would just start  Start taking action-these people that are starting all these fires amazing Thailand TIT

12 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

It almost seems like this government really doesn’t care about the air quality in Thailand they can put a stop to it and clean up this air if they would just start  Start taking action-these people that are starting all these fires amazing Thailand TIT

Yep they close down the city for 3 weeks for Covid-19 but the yearly ongoing PM 2.5 hazard is who cares. I wonder would they close the city for 2 months next year Feb/March during the burning?

Where do the figures on this report come from? I get different ones. Plus the smoke surely makes Covid 19 transmission more probable.

Alant... if you hover your mouse over the flag that best suits your area you will see that the air quality monitor figures come from Govt. offices, schools, hospitals. No doubt the numbers are massaged to a certain extent so having your own personal AQI monitor would be best. I've had one on order for Lazada for more than a month now, still waiting... 

Nothing to be done about the pollution because it is another good excuse to blame the virus and up the statistics so that more draconian rules and regulations of control can be enforced, and of course to terrorise everyone and raise the fear hype!!!!!

Drove from Chiang Mai to Krabi last week. The northern agricultural haze transitioned seamlessly into the industrial smog of Bangkok and Samut Sakorn. We didn't see blue skies until Prachuab.

Some screenshots, today 11:00

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4 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

It almost seems like this government really doesn’t care about the air quality in Thailand they can put a stop to it and clean up this air if they would just start  Start taking action-these people that are starting all these fires amazing Thailand TIT

I think that is is part of "the deal" which keeps the ruling class at the top of the heap.

 

The Thai can be happy little anarchists when it comes to pollution,road fatalities and their extreme zest for corruption AS LONG as they leave the oligarchs alone and in place.

 

It's a kind of quid pro quo-to disturb it might be fatal (in more ways than one)

 

The magic kingdom is not governed-it is ruled.

Why bother. This totally useless government will not do anything to prevent it except maybe get together a team that will have some recommendations that will not be followed up. Northern Thailand being one of the worlds worst polluted areas from January to June is probably something we have to get get used to (or move).