Pollution in Bangkok hits harmful levels on Friday (11 Dec)

[webfact]

Pollution in Bangkok hits harmful levels on Friday

By The Nation

 

 

Air pollution in Bangkok hit dangerous levels on Friday morning with PM2.5 readings coming in at 30 to 70 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), the Pollution Control Department’s Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau reported.

 

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50 μg/m3, though the World Health Organisation sets it at 25 μg/m3.

 

People in areas where PM2.5 pollution is bad have been advised to stay indoors and monitor their health.

 

The PM2.5 situation can be followed via the Air4Thai.com website or smartphone app, or via bangkokairquality.com, the bureau said.

 

As of 10am, PM2.5 was at dangerous levels in Din Daeng, Prakhanong, Dusit, Pom Prab (Sattru Phai), Samphanthawong, Pathum Wan, Bang Rak, Sathorn, Yannawa, Bang Na, Don Muang, Sai Mai, Bang Kapi, Prawet, Khlong San, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok Noi, Taling Chan, Thawee Watthana, Phasi Charoen, Nong Khaem, Bang Bon, Thung Khru, Phra Nakhon, Bang Sue, Laksi, Bang Khen, Chom Thong, Bang Khae, Bang Khunthien, Bueng Kum and Thung Khru.

 

Meanwhile, PM2.5 levels in other regions of Thailand were as follows:

 

North: 14 to 49 μg/m3.

 

Northeast: 17 to 86 μg/m3, with pollution in Nong Khai’s Muang district highest.

 

Central and West: 15 to 55 μg/m3, with pollution in Suphan Buri's Muang district highest.

 

East: 21 to 44 μg/m3.

 

South: 6 to 35 μg/m3.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30399444

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-11

 

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[samtam]

Or to use the international standard, which gives other world cities' comparison:

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by samtam

[Emdog]

Heck this is just a warm up for things to come, as they always do

[herwin1234]

its the farmers burning rice fields, not me and the zillion city ppl with their cars and motorcycles...

[Natai Beach]

The next four months will be as bad and worse. 
 

Which is why I moved to the place with the cleanest air in Thailand, Natai Beach Phangnga. 
 

There is nowhere north of Surat Thani to escape if you want to breath air and not pollution. 
 

 

[Venom]

The new normal? Can hardly wait until February when they start the sugar cane burn off in addition to burning the rice fields when air pollution peaks and Chiang Mai becomes the most polluted city on the planet for the third year in a row by almost double. This is only the beginning. BKK will break 150 us aqi ceiling often throughout the coming months and by February Chiang Rai will exceed 500 us aqi. ???? Get ready for five months of hell. ????????????

 

 

[PumpkinEater]

I wish that the Government would be as forceful and strict with OUR air quality (a basic HUMAN RIGHT) as with this virus.

 

Probably killing more people indirectly as the virus is...?

 

 

[spidermike007]

And what is being done to battle this epidemic? What is being proposed? Which of the agendas currently on the table is the most progressive? 

 

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.
2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.
3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.

 

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

Then they can move on to tackle the sale of diesel vehicles, and the government's enthusiastic support of such. It is insane in this day and age. Most nations are moving away from diesel for good reasons. When they are not well maintained, they foul the air, with large, nasty particles. And who properly maintains their vehicle here?

Lastly they can convert all of the 10 remaining diesel and coal fired power plants. Thailand has already done a very admirable job with renewable power plants. There are over 50 powered by hydro, geothermal, wind, solar and biomass. That is impressive. But, unfortunately it amounts to only about 15% of the power required, by this power hungry nation. 

[Surelynot]

That may be the case, but it is being monitored very carefully.....something we should all be thankful for.......555

[Venom]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Most nations are moving away from diesel for good reasons. When they are not well maintained, they foul the air, with large, nasty particles. And who properly maintains their vehicle here?

They modify the vehicles here for maximum smoke and noise. It's a cultural thing. When new they must pass EU standards same with the gasoline engines. 500 baht note insures they pass the five year vehicle inspection or inspection needed for resale. Can't fix that. However crop burning season is when 2.5 PM pollution levels go through the roof. 

 

1 hour ago, PumpkinEater said:

(a basic HUMAN RIGHT)

 

Absolutely! But those making the profits are not the poor farmers, it's sino-thai multi-national corporate greed that is responsible. 

[Don Chance]

15 hours ago, Natai Beach said:

The next four months will be as bad and worse. 
 

Which is why I moved to the place with the cleanest air in Thailand, Natai Beach Phangnga. 
 

There is nowhere north of Surat Thani to escape if you want to breath air and not pollution. 
 

 

 

I know a place with better air quality in Thailand, because of the strong off shore winds.

https://www.iqair.com/ca/thailand/songkhla

[samtam]

Samut Prakan 17.45 15 December 2020. Burn baby, burn....