BMA vows on-hand approach to PM2.5 pollution

By The Nation

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has said it will put in place strict measures to deal with air pollution, which hit dangerous levels in several parts of the capital and its vicinity on Friday.

 

BMA permanent secretary Silapasuay Raweesangsoon said city officials have been instructed to measure vehicle emissions, ensure vehicle maintenance, clean roads and pavements more frequently, install water sprays on buildings, implement measures to reduce dust particles in the air and publicise ways for people to take care of their health.

 

 

"The elderly, children and patients with respiratory ailments should avoid outdoor activities and wear a face mask," she said, adding that people affected by the pollution should visit hospitals under BMA supervision.

 

 

According to the Pollution Control Department, air quality in 11 areas in Bangkok and its vicinity hit unsafe levels in the morning with PM2.5 readings coming in at 44 to 111 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3).

 

 

The department said it expects the PM2.5 level to rise until Saturday due to a drop in wind speed, adding that the situation should improve on Sunday.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30401299

 

 

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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

measure vehicle emissions, ensure vehicle maintenance, clean roads and pavements more frequently, install water sprays on buildings, implement measures to reduce dust particles in the air and publicise ways for people to take care of their health.

In other words, do nothing to prevent the cause of it. 

How long have you lived here? How often have we seen promises like this? This current administration is infamous for pledges, declarations, proclamations and promises. Few are even remembered, much less followed up upon two weeks later. And the BMA? How often do they follow up on promises made? And what is the extent of their power to control the horrific air issues?
 
Feel free to cite some environmental promises that were followed up on, if you can. Otherwise, this is just a pedantic high school level debate, and we are dealing with a staggering level of incompetence and indifference toward their land, water and the common man. 

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. Then they can move on to tackle the sale of diesel vehicles, and the government's enthusiastic support of such. It is inane 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, they only supply 15% of the nations power. 

Maybe stopping some of these fires would help:

 

https://firms2.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#t:adv;d:2021-01-14..2021-01-15;l:countries;@107.2,14.7,6z

interesting to see. So it looks like Cambodia is the main culprit ????

2 hours ago, timbothaivisa said:

it looks like Cambodia is the main culprit 

 

This is correct, I suppose. Since some weeks.

But a big part today might be 'Thai made'.

Traffic Bangkok.  Sugar cane burning? - But where?

https://www.ventusky.com/

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Well, I have had enough.  Too many years with the only change being yearly increases in the problem.  When travel opens up again, I will be taking my 2 million baht/year living expenses and spending them in a different country.  I have worked too hard and too long and want to enjoy a healthy and long retirement.  I am tired of feeling bad due to breathing bad air.  I am very sure nobody will miss me and my money.

44 minutes ago, bushwacker said:

Well, I have had enough.  Too many years with the only change being yearly increases in the problem.  When travel opens up again, I will be taking my 2 million baht/year living expenses and spending them in a different country.  I have worked too hard and too long and want to enjoy a healthy and long retirement.  I am tired of feeling bad due to breathing bad air.  I am very sure nobody will miss me and my money.

I miss anyone who, like you, seems to care about good health and the environment. It is Thailand's financial loss, which is sad indeed. Best of luck in your retirement.????

1 hour ago, bushwacker said:

Well, I have had enough.  Too many years with the only change being yearly increases in the problem.  When travel opens up again, I will be taking my 2 million baht/year living expenses and spending them in a different country.  I have worked too hard and too long and want to enjoy a healthy and long retirement.  I am tired of feeling bad due to breathing bad air.  I am very sure nobody will miss me and my money.

If you really wanted to stay in Thailand, travel South.  Koh Samui does not have an air polution problem!

20 hours ago, Wiggy said:

In other words, do nothing to prevent the cause of it. 

It is utterly beyond them to do anything about it.

 

They can't not test for PM2.5 levels can they?

21 hours ago, webfact said:

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has said it will put in place strict measures to deal with air pollution, which hit dangerous levels in several parts of the capital and its vicinity on Friday.

For the one-thousandth time !!

23 hours ago, webfact said:

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has said it will put in place strict measures to deal with air pollution,

when? when? when? this is the story of 3 when!

    The problem is easily apparent in the headline.  'BMA vows on-hand approach...'.  Uhh, oh.  What you really want is 'BMA vows hands-on approach'.  Hands-on means you get right in there, roll your sleeves up, and tackle the problem.  You're hands-on, right in the action, doing something.   On-hand means you're there, standing by, but doing nothing.  Rich housewife to her maid:  "I'm on-hand in case you need anything.  Otherwise, I'll be by the pool."