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

[josephbloggs]

On 10/10/2024 at 8:54 PM, Sigmund said:

As for Bangkok, the excessive amount of private cars all over and lack of public transport definately will not help to contain the Pm levels.

Private cars, yes, except they are much cleaner now then they used to be, many BEV cars and buses. But still way too many cars.

Lack of public transport? Have you been to Bangkok in the last few years? Massive improvements in public transport the last few years. Currently about 325kms of electric mass transit lines around the city which is pretty impressive. Lots more to come online in the next 4-5 years too.

[shdmn]

On 10/8/2024 at 6:50 PM, rumeaug said:

Wonder where that smog comes from though

Some of it is because of low pollution control regulations on motor vehicles.  Think California several decades ago.  The problem is that adding pollution control costs money. 

 

I think they were trying to get rid of tuk tuks at one time because they were one of the worst.  Still see lots of them around so not sure what happened with that.  I also remember reading a story a couple years ago how they were planning to increase the pollution control requirements on new vehicles.  Not sure what happened with that.  More and more vehicles are electric now but that transition is going to take decades.

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, Sigmund said:

 Good point you made as I wonder how they manage to to it...as it is obviously humid most of the time.  Guess with gasoline topped over...

No, don't think so -  they don't burn in the wet - they traditionally burn in the cooldry for practical reasons. Burning has to move along the ground to vclear stubble and the dsoil it can't do that in the wet- humidity is only relative - by Jan march most crops are like a tinder box - that's why forest burning gets out ot hand.

Domestic burning is also traditionally done at the beginning of the year.

Any pollution now will be caused by cars and industry.

[connda]

Heat wave?   I judge temperature by the consistency of a can of Ghee that I use in cooking.  My Ghee thermometer now has chunks of butter floating around now.  I haven't seen that since last Cool Season.  Heat wave huh?  Right.

The polar ice-caps are melting and the oceans are boiling.

Of course they are. 

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

Once again dirty air from communist China floating south, mixed with local field burns. All my plans to stay long term in Thailand are cancelled. You literally cannot breathe clean air in Thailand for 9-10 months of the year. Used to love bicycling up around Chiang Mai but now? Forget it.

[shdmn]

1 hour ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

Once again dirty air from communist China floating south, mixed with local field burns. All my plans to stay long term in Thailand are cancelled. You literally cannot breathe clean air in Thailand for 9-10 months of the year. Used to love bicycling up around Chiang Mai but now? Forget it.

It's rainy season, so it's not from burning.

[kwilco]

On 10/10/2024 at 2:16 PM, NorthernRyland said:

you don't have to tell me. It's a total disaster and no I don't see them fixing this in any of our lifetimes. My only point is Chiang Mai is worse than the entire region because of normal city pollution. Other places like Chiang Dao and Phrao have worse smoke in the burning season but when that clears it's clean, unless a person is burning near you (which they probably area lol).

As well as the traffic and industry, Chiang Mai's topography makes it worse.

[Rolo89]

On 10/11/2024 at 9:47 PM, josephbloggs said:

Private cars, yes, except they are much cleaner now then they used to be, many BEV cars and buses. But still way too many cars.

Lack of public transport? Have you been to Bangkok in the last few years? Massive improvements in public transport the last few years. Currently about 325kms of electric mass transit lines around the city which is pretty impressive. Lots more to come online in the next 4-5 years too.

Bangkok is getting better, but public transport is still very limited and it's grown very slowly. Covers a decent length now with the lines they've built far out but still needs decades more to get a complete system.

 

The sky train is expensive. I know people who get a grab bike to work in the morning even when they live on a direct sky train line into work because its the same price. 

[KhunLA]

"Severe Smog as PM2.5 Levels Soar Amidst Heat Wave"

 

Guess you can't blame it on the cooler upper air, like more than a few do, though admit, it does contribute.

 

And this is only October.   shh ... don't tell the folks that say smog is only bad Feb, Mar, & Apr ... shh.

 

Now it seems October to May, or when the rains actually start.  Break out the N95s

 

 

[KhunLA]

On 10/11/2024 at 11:54 PM, connda said:

Heat wave?   I judge temperature by the consistency of a can of Ghee that I use in cooking.  My Ghee thermometer now has chunks of butter floating around now.  I haven't seen that since last Cool Season.  Heat wave huh?  Right.

The polar ice-caps are melting and the oceans are boiling.

Of course they are. 

Agree, and been damn chilly down here / PKK overnight, as haven't used the AC at night in weeks.  And it's October, not Dec / Jan.

 

Sleep with the fan on, and use a blanket 

[Yagoda]

It doesnt matter, Ill be there on Friday and as such, the heavens will burst into a golden light as the temp stays steady at 72 degrees F and hordes of cherubim warble in Latin like castratos.