Bangkok Suffers Severe Smog as PM2.5 Levels Soar Amidst Heat Wave

[snoop1130]

 

Bangkok and its surrounding regions are grappling with crippling air pollution, as smog levels hit hazardous peaks. The Pollution Control Department announced that PM2.5, dangerous particulate matter, surpassed safe levels of 35 microgrammes per cubic metre in numerous spots across the city and nearby provinces, putting millions at risk.

 

Come 11am today, October 8, Bangkok's air quality readings varied widely, alarmingly so, from 37 to a high of 48.8µg/m3, with Sathorn district bearing the worst. Neighbouring localities such as Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon experienced similar bleak conditions.

Samut Sakhon's Krathumbaen and Mueang districts reported 38.3 to 53.4µg/m3, while Nonthaburi saw figures climbing to 45.9µg/m3 in Pak Kret. Mueang district in Nakhon Pathom wasn’t far behind at 46.1µg/m3. Disturbingly, Kanchanaburi's Mueang district reached a staggering 58.8µg/m3.

 

Thailand's Meteorological Department predicts the pollutant haze will persist until October 16, exacerbating the situation. Officials are advising citizens, especially individuals with respiratory issues, to minimise outdoor exposure due to risks like asthma and heart disease aggravation. Residents in affected areas are urged to follow health advisories strictly as the city braces for a prolonged spell of unhealthy air quality.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-08

 

[Rimmer]

Looks like it's home grown smog as well 🙁

 

[MikeandDow]

Quote : Somsak remains steadfast in promoting healthier lifestyles among teenagers, aiming to reduce e-cigarette use. "We are committed to creating a healthier environment for our youth," he affirmed, underlining the ministry’s dedication to reversing this troubling trend.

 

Methinks they need to address smog first

[spidermike007]

And this problem continues year after year after year, as nobody wants to address it. These unbelievably inept administrations yak and yak and yak, but they don't seem to want to do anything. Once the burning starts it's going to get worse, and yet nothing ever gets done. Another month from now when the rain stops we're going to have to deal with this for 5 or 6 months. It is the same thing every year, people dying left and right from respiratory disease and the government does nothing. They are unwilling to take on Big Agra and their buddies who own the sugar refineries, nor the sugar farmers. And the farmers continue to act as if the health of the community means less than zero. 

 

How Chiang Mai became the world’s most polluted city-

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/how-chiang-mai-became-the-worlds-most-polluted-city

 

At least one NGO is calling it what it is. Field burning, not forest fires is the main cause of bad air here.

 

And Bangkok is not far behind, once the rains stop. 

 

There are alternatives, but it would require vision and investment. 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. 

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

[MikeandDow]

18 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

And this problem continues year after year after year, as nobody wants to address it. These unbelievably inept administrations yak and yak and yak, but they don't seem to want to do anything. Once the burning starts it's going to get worse, and yet nothing ever gets done. Another month from now when the rain stops we're going to have to deal with this for 5 or 6 months. It is the same thing every year, people dying left and right from respiratory disease and the government does nothing. They are unwilling to take on Big Agra and their buddies who own the sugar refineries, nor the sugar farmers. And the farmers continue to act as if the health of the community means less than zero. 

 

How Chiang Mai became the world’s most polluted city-

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/how-chiang-mai-became-the-worlds-most-polluted-city

 

At least one NGO is calling it what it is. Field burning, not forest fires is the main cause of bad air here.

 

And Bangkok is not far behind, once the rains stop. 

 

There are alternatives, but it would require vision and investment. 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. 

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

Yep spot on  but whats going to happen Nothing !!!!!  same as the floods each year the same Nothing gets done the politician say the same thing vote for me and i will fix this  Thailand is a truly backward country 

[MarkBR]

43 minutes ago, Rimmer said:

Looks like it's home grown smog as well 🙁

 

We have wonderful air up around Chiang Mai, Lamphun & surrounding provinces.  Maybe if this afflicts Bangkok, maybe then the politicians will actually do something.  Although, 35 is not bad, was in Xi'an when the ppm hit nearly 400 which was very very bad.

[Elkski]

Looks worse than 50 aqi.   Perfect October fall weather here.   74 avg but it's been near-90f blue skies no wind. Don't need air on with the windows open at night.   So depressing being in air like that.   And we won't really know the realization of how deadly it is on a population for another 20 years.  Not sure thai massages are worth it.