Thailand smog sparks outcry, public anticipation for clean air act grows

[webfact]

 

The recurring smog season in Thailand’s northern provinces has sparked increasing public dissatisfaction. Notably, a 28 year old doctor in Chiang Mai, Krittai Tanasombatkul, who was diagnosed with lung cancer despite being a non-smoker, used his social media platform to question why the persistent PM2.5 pollution issue has not been resolved by the authorities.

 

The Clean Air Act, seen as a potential solution to the escalating Thailand smog problem, is eagerly awaited by both the public and private sectors, especially given the prediction of more severe PM2.5 levels in the upcoming months. The Act is expected to address pollution from various sources such as bushfires, farm clearing, and ageing diesel engines. However, critics argue that legislation alone is insufficient and calls for additional measures like encouraging a shift to battery-run vehicles.

 

Amorn Sapthaweekul, deputy CEO of Energy Absolute Plc, a renewable energy and electric vehicle developer and operator, emphasised the need for government initiatives to ensure the right to clean air. He anticipates increased use of electric mobility technology as advancements in battery technology will allow electric vehicles to operate for longer distances, and their cost will decrease with economies of scale.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo: Apichart Jinakul/Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Tarteso]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

to question why the persistent PM2.5 pollution issue has not been resolved by the authorities.

Here the laughing response 😊

 

[Bobthegimp]

Climate lockdowns for the peasants in 3..2..1

[Nickcage49]

First, put smog controls on cars and trucks. Second, punish violators with polluting vehicles. Third, get the worst ones off the roads altogether.

[Will B Good]

So sad to think politicians believe the issuing of an act achieves anything.........nothing, absolutely nothing will change.

 

I know this isn't an airport, but I think it will have to be the UK Feb to May. 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The recurring smog season in Thailand’s northern provinces has sparked increasing public dissatisfaction. Notably, a 28 year old doctor in Chiang Mai, Krittai Tanasombatkul, who was diagnosed with lung cancer despite being a non-smoker, used his social media platform to question why the persistent PM2.5 pollution issue has not been resolved by the authorities.

I've said it multiple times... 

get the governor, the businesses and the farming culprits in a room and give them the sermon.

It stops or your out.

[PETERTHEEATER]

They can enact the legislation but without effective enforcement it is uselessl

[rovinman]

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

So sad to think politicians believe the issuing of an act achieves anything.........nothing, absolutely nothing will change.

 

I know this isn't an airport, but I think it will have to be the UK Feb to May. 

Didn't King Canute { Cnut, Britain 1016 AD }, try a similar thing, trying to order back the sea  ?

Didn't work then did it  ? 

NO Statement / Law, EVER works unless there is Enforcement, to go along with it  !

Thailand is looking more like China every day  !
 

[Forrests Father]

And? Every year the same.
Rinse and repeat.

New Year: Accidents

Feb to Apr: PM2.5

Songkran: Accidents

May: Heat

Jun: Draught

October: Flooding 

 

ok: Nov is early for PM2.5. Maybe there is a slight learning curve?

[newnative]

As always, way too slow to do anything.  As always just talk, talk, talk.

[rudi49jr]

The rainy season has hardly ended and the morons start burning again. Already figures in purple, PM10 values of 243 and 199. I dread to think what this map will look like in March/April, the whole north of Thailand will probably be screwed. 
And still the only thing the government does is pass another Act, and continue to sit on their thumbs. There’s no money to be made, so they do nothing. 

[Yorkshire Tea]

3 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

The rainy season has hardly ended and the morons start burning again

 

They never stop burning.  It's just that the rain clears the air, so no rain = smoke doesn't clear.  TIT.

[sidneybear]

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I've said it multiple times... 

get the governor, the businesses and the farming culprits in a room and give them the sermon.

It stops or your out.

Right. Crop burning is the main culprit. Stopping farmers from doing it is difficult. Village folk take care of themselves and don't follow government advice or rules.