A proposal to provide classrooms with air conditioning units sparked a heated debate in Bangkok, despite the city’s ongoing concern about PM2.5 safety.

 

The recent rejection by the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) of this initiative aimed at protecting young learners from PM2.5 dust pollution raises concerns about balancing health protection and potential drawbacks in school environments.

 

The BMC turned down a 219 million baht (US$6.15) proposal to equip 1,743 classrooms in 429 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) schools with air conditioning units. This proposal was a part of the BMA’s total budget bill of 90 billion baht for the fiscal year 2024, kicking off on October 1.

 

To safeguard preschool children, aged between one and six, from the perilous PM2.5 dust pollution prevalent in the city, this air conditioning project was proposed, according to Bangkok Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. The 57 year old Bangkok chief highlighted the World Health Organisation’s findings on the specific threat the PM2.5 haze poses to young children’s health.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/bangkok-council-rejects-219m-baht-air-con-plan-for-pm2-5-hit-schools

 

by Mitch Connor 

Photo courtesy of Pattarapong Chatpattarasill.

 

-- The Thaiger 2023-09-08

 

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125,600 baht per classroom, sounds about right....

BMC probably worried about where the money will come from to clean them.????

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

125,600 baht per classroom, sounds about right....

A large classroom could easily require 2 or 3 ac's. Use proper industrial units and throw in a decent maintenance contract and it doesn't seem that inflated.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The BMC turned down a 219 million baht (US$6.15) proposal to equip 1,743 classrooms in 429 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) schools with air conditioning units.

Village classrooms?  Nope.  Let the commoner peasants use fans.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

To safeguard preschool children, aged between one and six, from the perilous PM2.5 dust pollution prevalent in the city, this air conditioning project was proposed, according to Bangkok Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. The 57 year old Bangkok chief highlighted the World Health Organisation’s findings on the specific threat the PM2.5 haze poses to young children’s health.

Rather a blinkered solution, to protect children only while they are in school hours, inside the classroom.

What about the rest of the time when they are at risk?

A good solution to save money and promote equality is to disable ALL the a/c units at the BMC offices, remove ALL the issue cars and only reimburse public bus (non a/c) fares.

 

Put the old codgers at the BMC on the same rules as the young school children. After all, they are the future of Thailand, NOT the overpaid, coddled members of the BMC.

If the main concern is particulates how about air cleaners?  That said properly controlled temperature might just improve scholastic progress, including improved attendance.

3 minutes ago, Kwaibill said:

If the main concern is particulates how about air cleaners?  That said properly controlled temperature might just improve scholastic progress, including improved attendance.

IMHO the problem is money and face, with a side helping of "well. they are only children, and not really as important as we are".

 

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