PM2.5 crisis first major test for Srettha’s government

[webfact]

 

The air pollution crisis in Thailand, specifically the hazardous PM2.5 particles, presents a formidable challenge to new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his cabinet. This issue transcends mere environmental concerns, morphing into a litmus test for the government’s commitment to public health and its willingness to confront entrenched industrial and agricultural interests.

 

PM2.5 particles are fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. These particles are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks. Chronic exposure to PM2.5 is linked to a range of severe health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart conditions, early deaths, and cancer. In Thailand, the PM2.5 crisis is particularly acute during the winter months, exacerbated by crop burning practices and industrial emissions.

 

The previous administration under Prayut Chan-ocha demonstrated a reluctance to address this issue head-on, especially in the lead-up to the elections. There was a palpable lack of political will to take measures that might upset key economic sectors. The agricultural practices, such as crop burning, were left largely unchecked.

 

Similarly, the manufacturing sector, a cornerstone of Thailand’s economic growth, continued to contribute to the pollution without facing stringent regulatory pushback. This approach, arguably, was governed by the electoral calculus rather than a commitment to public health and environmental stewardship.

 

By Arun Saronchai

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2023-12-13

 

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[PJ71]

I have a pretty good idea what's gonna change - absolutely SFA.

[jvs]

Time goes fast,every year another crack down for a week or two and it is all better!

Clear skies all the way boys!

They have all year every year to work on this but no,just wait until it becomes unbearable

and keep the kids home from school.

[lordgrinz]

Deja Vu 

[Enzian]

This is getting insane. Three weeks ago I ended up in ER in the middle of the night because a bacterial infection, till then unknown, centered in the lower part of my right lung reached a tipping point and I didn't know if I would make it to morning. When I recovered I booked a flight out, but not until the beginning of Feb.; now the pollution season is kicking in early and my plan to stay through the "cool" season and leave for 3 or 4 months in the "spring" season doesn't seem comprehensive at all. What sense does it make to live in this? The AQI index for Bangkok this morning is 165.

[brewsterbudgen]

It's been a "major test" for previous governments too - not just in Thailand, but in the whole of Asia!  Not sure why they expect Thailand's government to miraculously solve a global problem when no other government has.

[spidermike007]

It is indeed the PM crisis. Either Sretta does something about this health hazard, or we can label it the PM Sretta PM2.5 crisis.

[grego49]

No doubt they will form a committee and do SFA, as usual,

[JonnyF]

15 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's been a "major test" for previous governments too - not just in Thailand, but in the whole of Asia!  Not sure why they expect Thailand's government to miraculously solve a global problem when no other government has.

 

They could make a huge difference locally by enforcing laws pertaining to crop burning and vehicle emissions.

 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

They could make a huge difference locally by enforcing laws pertaining to crop burning and vehicle emissions.

 

 

 

 

Indeed.  But it has never happened in the past, and I doubt the new PM will even try.  Once the air clears, which it will, life goes on.  

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Indeed.  But it has never happened in the past, and I doubt the new PM will even try.  Once the air clears, which it will, life goes on.  

 

So let's not try to excuse it as a "global problem" that the PM cannot do anything about. 

[HaoleBoy]

46 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's been a "major test" for previous governments too - not just in Thailand, but in the whole of Asia!  Not sure why they expect Thailand's government to miraculously solve a global problem when no other government has.

"Miraculously solve" this problem?   

Go after the big aggribusinesses and fine them!  Thailand big aggri companies are producing a very large portion of this problem in Thailand and Myanmar.

     www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/tangled-problem-sugarcane-burning-thailand

This junta 2.0 gov is again scared to go after some big elite families.

[PJ71]

1 hour ago, Enzian said:

This is getting insane. Three weeks ago I ended up in ER in the middle of the night because a bacterial infection, till then unknown, centered in the lower part of my right lung reached a tipping point and I didn't know if I would make it to morning. When I recovered I booked a flight out, but not until the beginning of Feb.; now the pollution season is kicking in early and my plan to stay through the "cool" season and leave for 3 or 4 months in the "spring" season doesn't seem comprehensive at all. What sense does it make to live in this? The AQI index for Bangkok this morning is 165.

See you.

[brewsterbudgen]

22 minutes ago, HaoleBoy said:

"Miraculously solve" this problem?   

Go after the big aggribusinesses and fine them!  Thailand big aggri companies are producing a very large portion of this problem in Thailand and Myanmar.

     www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/tangled-problem-sugarcane-burning-thailand

This junta 2.0 gov is again scared to go after some big elite families.

 

True.  I wonder if a Future Forward PM would be any different?  One would hope so.

[VocalNeal]

Something that happens annually is hardly a crisis.🤔

[Pouatchee]

in my house now... in the country, with windows closed it is 140ppm 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The air pollution crisis in Thailand, specifically the hazardous PM2.5 particles, presents a formidable challenge to new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his cabinet. This issue transcends mere environmental concerns, morphing into a litmus test for the government’s commitment to public health and its willingness to confront entrenched industrial and agricultural interests.

The Bangkok governor has done sod-all since he took office, maybe Srettha could call him back in for an update.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

PM2.5 crisis first major test for Srettha’s government

These governments continue to be tested, yet they never fail..., just like school.

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's been a "major test" for previous governments too - not just in Thailand, but in the whole of Asia!  Not sure why they expect Thailand's government to miraculously solve a global problem when no other government has.

not a global problem, but a regional one - South Asia and SEAsia  burning fields forests sugar cane, etc from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos,Cambodia, China and yeah Thailand.  NASA has a satellite that scans for open fires - look at North and South America, then look at Asia = from India east to the South China Sea is is bright red while the western hemisphere is green.  I know even with the forest fires in the northern Americas,

the red is still only a small portion of that area.

[malibukid]

time to set up the misters at Thapee Gate

[koolkarl]

At the very least, the politicians have to breathe the same air.

[GarryP]

If the govt comes down hard on agricultural burning and gets the local authorities to really do something about it, they will be worried about losing voter support and the impact on the next election. As to big industry, I don't think the MPs are going to stop their sources of income. 

 

Because Thailand has got so dependent on tourism, perhaps the best way to get them to do something is to really get the news out internationally. Warn tourists to stay away from Thailand due to the terrible air. It could certainly damage the tourism industry and force the gov't to really take action. It may hurt many people working in that sector to begin with, but in the long run it would be best for all of Thailand.  

Edited December 13, 2023 by GarryP

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, GarryP said:

Warn tourists to stay away from Thailand due to the terrible air.

That would be a fastback to criminal defamation and,  depending on how the message is delivered, violation of the Computer Act. Such is the state of Freedom of Speech in Thailand - another challenging test.

[Bassosa]

It's not a "major test" for Sretta at all. What makes the writer think that?

[Caldera]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

The air pollution crisis in Thailand, specifically the hazardous PM2.5 particles, presents a formidable challenge to new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his cabinet.

 

How so? He'll just do nothing about it, just like all the other PMs before him.

[UbonEagle]

Interestingly there is a cluster of high readings in the north CM area now but nothing across border in Laos or Myanmar 

not being in area myself what do you locals think is current source - forest fires, cane burning ? Of course it coincides with the rapid drying up period end of wet season

 

One of the advantages of being in what I call the Far East (Ubon Ratchathani) is the generally good AQ until it gets really dry hot into March April

[Gknrd]

I am always amazed at the magazine and internet articles that always put Thailand in the top 10 of retirement destinations.

3-4 months a year it is un livable.. 

How do you rate a country that kills countless thousands yearly with polluted air, especially young and old as a retirement destination.. 

Usually if you are retiring you are considered old... which in that case Thailand would be one of the last places you would want to be.

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Gknrd

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, Gknrd said:

I am always amazed at the magazine and internet articles that always put Thailand in the top 10 of retirement destinations.

3-4 months a year it is un livable.. 

How do you rate a country that kills countless thousands yearly with polluted air, especially young and old as a retirement destination.. 

Usually if you are retiring you are considered old... which in that case Thailand would be one of the last places you would want to be.

 

 

"Amazing Thailand" indeed.  If the pollution doesn't get you, the unhealthy food and appalling driving is likely to!  Maybe, it's just worth the risk for many.

[motdaeng]

4 hours ago, UbonEagle said:

One of the advantages of being in what I call the Far East (Ubon Ratchathani) is the generally good AQ until it gets really dry hot into March April

 

ubon ratchathani experiences relatively good or acceptable air quality for approximately six months.

 

the air quality in the far east might be somewhat better than in the north, but it remains far from being

consistently good throughout most of the year ...

 

[mikebell]

On 12/13/2023 at 7:54 AM, webfact said:

Prayut Chan-ocha demonstrated a reluctance to address this issue head-on

among most other issues that might affect his chums.