Bangkok battles hazardous levels of PM2.5 dust pollution alone

[snoop1130]

 

A robust surge of PM2.5, particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, descended upon the Thailand capital Bangkok this morning, setting the city apart as the only one battling seriously hazardous red-coded levels of fine dust pollution. This stark revelation came from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

 

The state space agency’s report at 10am highlighted the severity of the issue, with PM2.5 levels in the capital reaching 77.5 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) of air in the past 24 hours. This figure is alarmingly higher than the government-set safe threshold of 37.5µg/m³. The red-coded level, indicating a serious health hazard, is triggered at 75.2µg/m³ and above.

 

On the same day, orange-coded levels of PM2.5, signifying initial unsafety, were detected across 62 provinces. The readings in these regions varied, ranging from 38.4 to 72.6µg/m³. Predominantly, these provinces were located in the central plains and the northeast.

 

The northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son, which were previously grappling with red-coded levels, experienced a transition to orange levels on the same Thursday morning. Their PM2.5 readings oscillated between 41 and 44µg/m³.

 

In contrast, the south reported safe PM2.5 levels, thus escaping the clutch of fine dust pollution, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The phenomenon saw Bangkok and 62 other provinces shrouded in high concentrations of fine dust pollution, a situation captured vividly in a screenshot from IQAir.

 

In related news, a surge in smog levels was experienced, with PM2.5 dust readings surpassing 200 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in three northern provinces, including Chiang Mai.

 

The GISTDA disclosed at 9am that 20 provinces registered red (significantly harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and below in diameter (PM2.5).

The readings fluctuated between 76.1 and 227.2 microgrammes per cubic metre of air during the last 24 hours. The safety limit set by the government is 37.5µg/m³.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-11

 

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[it is what it is]

 

i can't believe this is still an issue. i understood the air pollution problem was going to solved years ago with the much heralded introduction of clean air machines. surely the solution is more of these amazing contraptions.

 

[spidermike007]

The population refuses to burn less incense! 

 

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. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.

 

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

Also figure out a way to penalize the refiners for buying sugar that has been burnt. One million baht per offense to start. 

 

The government should offer incentives, for the farmers to switch crops. This is 2024. Rice and sugar worked in previous centuries. Now, they do not make any sense. Too labor intensive, too much degradation of the land, water, air, and resources. Let's get with the times. Let us move forward. 

 

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. 

 

 

Edited April 11 by spidermike007

[tomazbodner]

Using my own meter and numbers are worse than above. North Bangkok.

 

[John Drake]

38 degrees and 168 aqi in Thawi Watthana at 5:45pm

[aseanfan]

Where is the analysis of what is polluting the air???  At 6am this morning where I live in Bangkok the sky was blue and clear - then the planes dropped some stuff and left a cross in the sky.  That then drifted and expanded and the clouds came.  Look to the skies for what is happening perhaps?

[Aussie999]

"government-set safe threshold of 37.5µg/m³," has the Thai government set its own standard... when the recognised level is 35µg/m³, and anything above 12µg/m³, is unhealthy. 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The state space agency’s report at 10am highlighted the severity of the issue, with PM2.5 levels in the capital reaching 77.5 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) of air in the past 24 hours. This figure is alarmingly higher than the government-set safe threshold of 37.5µg/m³. The red-coded level, indicating a serious health hazard, is triggered at 75.2µg/m³ and above.

The Bangkok governor should be sacked....

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is 2024. Rice and sugar worked in previous centuries. Now, they do not make any sense. Too labor intensive, too much degradation of the land, water, air, and resources. Let's get with the times. Let us move forward. 

Thailand still lives in the past... it does not comprehend evolution.

[Emdog]

Bangkok battles hazardous levels of PM2.5 dust

Battles? What battles? I've never seen any battles.  Like ants chewing on elephant's foot. As far as battling pollution, I'd say Thai government et al take a pacifist "wait and see" or "thoughts and prayers" strategy

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The Bangkok governor should be sacked....

When have you ever heard of a Thai with money and connections being fired for incompetence or non-performance?

[rexpotter]

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The population refuses to burn less incense! 

 

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. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.

 

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

Also figure out a way to penalize the refiners for buying sugar that has been burnt. One million baht per offense to start. 

 

The government should offer incentives, for the farmers to switch crops. This is 2024. Rice and sugar worked in previous centuries. Now, they do not make any sense. Too labor intensive, too much degradation of the land, water, air, and resources. Let's get with the times. Let us move forward. 

 

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. 

 

 

Excellent well thought out post..thanks

[rexpotter]

Not sure I can stay here another year. Sad, so much i enjoy like all of us. The minumum factor for life should at least be clean air and water. We have neither here.

[pattjock]

The government promised, three month ago, that they would fix this problem in three months ????