Rising smog prompts burning question: Can Thailand break PM2.5 cycle?

[webfact]

 

The COVID-19 crisis may have passed, but the threat from smog is back for the long term. Hazy skies are a sign that hazardous fine dust particles – which can be deadly – should not be taken for granted.

 

“We expect the smog to worsen in the rest of this year,” said Kasetsart University’s Assoc Prof Witsanu Attavanich, an expert in climate-change research and PM2.5 situation analysis.

 

Dr Witsanu explained that the amount of PM2.5 dust – tiny particles in the air measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter – is now growing because stay-at-home COVID-19 control measures are being lifted.

 

“Most people no longer work from home,” he said. “Most students have returned to campus too”. Sonthi Kotchawat, an independent expert on environmental health, notes that many kinds of activities have resumed in the post-pandemic period.

 

Back in 2019, the average amount of PM2.5 particles was as high as 59 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) of air in Bangkok. The number of days when PM2.5 exceeded the safe limit of 50μg/m3 was 64.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rising-smog-prompts-burning-question-can-thailand-break-pm2-5-cycle/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-11-28

 

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[ozz1]

And they are worried about climate change yet they burn crops all over the north east. More electric vehicles needed what a bunch of idiots

[HaoleBoy]

Does the Thai Gov and big monopoly families really care?

I've heard CP could do a LOT about the burning of rice stubble in the North / North East ...

[HuskerDo2]

Why is this news considering the time of year? Maybe a tad early but still expected.

[Isaan sailor]

The late rains this year have delayed the annual burning season.  Let it rain, rain, rain.

[mikebell]

'Can Thailand break PM2.5 cycle?' Yes, when they get a police force.

[Srikcir]

Yes. By raising the PM cycle target to 3.5.

[jacko45k]

So don't forget your masks!!!!

[dpcjsr]

When this starts to cause real problems for the government and the wealthy then it will be fixed. Until then, same same. 

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, HuskerDo2 said:

Why is this news considering the time of year? Maybe a tad early but still expected.

In the past, in Bangkok the smog started in February or so and lasted until May. Then it started to appear earlier, until this year, starting already in September. If this continues, it'll be like this all year round. Smog isn't harmless. It kills millions every year and costs a lot. UK estimated that the cost of air pollution is 9-19 billion pounds every year, and cost up to 5.3 billion pounds on healthcare alone. Note, air quality in UK is considerably better than in Thailand.

 

https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/documents/air_quality_note_v7a-(3).pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-tool-calculates-nhs-and-social-care-costs-of-air-pollution

 

[internationalism]

Good detailed article, but they forgot to mention, that smog comes partly with nothern monsoon from over china. Thats why there are cases of record pollution in the countryside, far away from bangkok and cities, with no burning fields. 

As china is ending it's covid pause and as they are going to use more dirty fuels, because of energy prices, problem will grow for years. 
For domestic heating chinese will burn waste, including plastic. 

 

Use of cars is constant throughout the year, it's just cold and dry air traps pollution near ground, not allowing it to escape into space and dissipate over oceans.  
 

[HaoleBoy]

8 minutes ago, internationalism said:

Good detailed article, but they forgot to mention, that smog comes partly with nothern monsoon from over china. Thats why there are cases of record pollution in the countryside, far away from bangkok and cities, with no burning fields. 

As china is ending it's covid pause and as they are going to use more dirty fuels, because of energy prices, problem will grow for years. 
For domestic heating chinese will burn waste, including plastic. 

 

You are just giving fuel to the Thai Gov to blame it on other nations.

If Thailand was even trying to curb their OWN pollution then that would be one thing, but they aren't.  
Thailand wants to be a bigshot in SE Asia then they should set an example and clean up the air pollution that is caused in Thailand first.

A big cause of BKK pollution is from all the construction going on within the city ...

Thailand burns a lot of plastic itself ... a lot shipped in from other western countries too.

[RichardColeman]

Like to see the deaths from smog/bad air chart compared to the covid one !

[Tarteso]

21 minutes ago, internationalism said:

As china is ending it's covid pause and as they are going to use more dirty fuels, because of energy prices, problem will grow for years. 
For domestic heating chinese will burn waste, including plastic. 

Absolutely 

[LukKrueng]

2 hours ago, dpcjsr said:

When this starts to cause real problems for the government and the wealthy then it will be fixed. Until then, same same. 

Isn't it the same for any problem all over the world?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, mikebell said:

'Can Thailand break PM2.5 cycle?' Yes, when they get a police force.

Or get rid of governors who turn a blind eye to pollution in their provinces.

[Northstar1]

A great retirement destination?

really?

????

[sungod]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Like to see the deaths from smog/bad air chart compared to the covid one !

Here you go,

 

https://www.greenpeace.org/southeastasia/press/45425/air-pollution-responsible-for-29000-deaths-across-31-thai-provinces-in-2021-greenpeace/