Bangkok Braces for Rising PM2.5 Levels Amid Cool Weather

[snoop1130]

 

Bangkok is set to experience increased pollution levels over the weekend as PM2.5 particles hang heavy in the air, exacerbated by cool weather and poor circulation, according to the Pollution Control Department. Unsafe PM2.5 concentrations were recorded in 36 areas across the city, with Nong Khaem district leading the pack at 51.1µg/m³.

 

These fine particulate matters were measured between 19.5µg/m³ and 53.8µg/m³ early this morning. A combination of local climatic conditions and external influences, like the Trami tropical cyclone traversing the South China Sea, is expected to induce more rain next week, which promises to alleviate the pollution. Until then, residents are advised to take precautions as cooler weather conditions and limited air flow are likely to sustain elevated pollution levels.

 

In related weather updates, the Meteorological Department notes a chill in the northern and north-eastern regions, while some southern areas might face heavy rain. Bangkok will see rain covering 10% of its area, offering a brief respite from the worsening air quality.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-25

 

 

[webfact]

Bangkok, Chiang Mai Listed Amongst Most Polluted Cities Globally

 

Picture courtesy: it24hrs via Rangsit University

 

Bangkok and Chiang Mai have recently emerged as two of the world's top 50 cities facing significant air pollution challenges, as per the latest IQAir data.

 

Early on Friday, Bangkok ranked 13th globally for air pollution with an air quality index (AQI) of 101. Earlier the same day, it even touched the 7th spot. Chiang Mai followed closely behind at 43rd, with an AQI of 66.

 

These figures paint a grim picture for these Thai cities, as they continue their recovery from recent floods, particularly in Chiang Mai, which struggled with overflowing waterways from the Ping River.

 

Currently, Bangkok remains under an 'orange' alert, signalling unhealthy air, while Chiang Mai finds itself in the 'yellow' zone, indicating moderate conditions.

 

Globally, Delhi, India, maintains the highest pollution levels with an AQI of 287. In Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam ranks 4th, marked by an AQI reading of 174.

 

Specific districts in Bangkok, including Nong Khaem, have alarmingly high pollution levels, with PM2.5 particles registering at 53.1 microgrammes per cubic metre. Sathon and Bangkok Yai also face similar challenges, with PM2.5 levels at 49.8 and 49.3 respectively. The city's average stands at 35.5µg/m³.

 

In a bid to combat these pollution levels, Bangkok's governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, announced via the BMA's Facebook page that measures are underway. These measures focus on curbing emissions from vehicles and construction activities, with an emphasis on regulating construction truck movements, reported Bangkok Post.

 

As these cities navigate the dual challenges of managing air quality and post-flood recovery, strategic interventions are crucial. The combined effects of climate and urban factors underscore the pressing need for comprehensive environmental strategies in the region.

 

-- 2024-10-25

 

 

[Thailand]

The rain is stopping the burning will be starting!

[spidermike007]

For 6 months of the year, this is an enormous problem. And the goons in charge don't seem to have much motivation to address it. Burning would be a good place to start. Penalizing people with poorly maintained diesel vehicles would be another.

 

Indifference, greed and corruption are the enemies of progress. People are dying. Do something. Do anything. 

[cowellandrew]

Oh no loss of face!

😂

 

Ok its them Chinese seas!

Trami tropical cyclone traversing the South China Sea, 

[Gknrd]

Had a bit of asthma as a small kid. Never thought about it until I moved to Thailand. It flared up big time. The older I got the worse it got. Worst place I have ever lived. Chocking to death 6 months a year.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Bangkok is set to experience increased pollution levels over the weekend as PM2.5 particles hang heavy in the air, exacerbated by cool weather and poor circulation, according to the Pollution Control Department. Unsafe PM2.5 concentrations were recorded in 36 areas across the city, with Nong Khaem district leading the pack at 51.1µg/m³.

Some things you can rely on in Thailand.

[soalbundy]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

For 6 months of the year, this is an enormous problem. And the goons in charge don't seem to have much motivation to address it. Burning would be a good place to start. Penalizing people with poorly maintained diesel vehicles would be another.

 

Indifference, greed and corruption are the enemies of progress. People are dying. Do something. Do anything. 

It's enough to make one stop smoking.

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, Gknrd said:

Had a bit of asthma as a small kid. Never thought about it until I moved to Thailand. It flared up big time. The older I got the worse it got. Worst place I have ever lived. Chocking to death 6 months a year.

ditto. I need a daily inhaler in Thailand but I've never had any problems in the US. I think mold here is a factor too

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

For 6 months of the year, this is an enormous problem. And the goons in charge don't seem to have much motivation to address it. Burning would be a good place to start. Penalizing people with poorly maintained diesel vehicles would be another.

 

What about goons on the ground? Thai people simply do not care about air pollution. People are burning things constantly and driving cars that should be taken off the road. It's their own fault but they never do anything about it because they do not care. 

[RandolphGB]

15 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

What about goons on the ground? Thai people simply do not care about air pollution. People are burning things constantly and driving cars that should be taken off the road. It's their own fault but they never do anything about it because they do not care. 

 

This exactly. The goons in charge are the Thai people and the Thai people are the goons in charge.

 

Nothing will evolve because it is, and always has been, a nation of low IQ people beset with laziness, greed, vanity and selfishness. 

 

 

[10baht]

If there were no coal burning plants ( to produce  cheap electricity for  EVs) in China ,70 - 85 % of this in the north of Thailand would go away. Bangkok , Bangkok , Bangkok , Bangkok ,- that's pretty much all you hear. It's the poor folks in the north ( Chaing Mai & Chiang Rai ) who are the real victims. As far as the self-inflicted damage done in the north by burning is concerned - the government should provide large scale equipment ( to be rotated and shared among villages ) to do

1. Crop Residue Management: Incorporate crop residues back into the soil using machinery like mulchers or rotavators. This helps improve soil fertility and structure.

[TheFishman1]

Same same everybody talks nobody does anything I already trying to make plans where I’m gonna go to when it gets bad in Chiang Mai TIT

[klauskunkel]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok and Chiang Mai facing significant air pollution challenges,

"Challenge"? I don't think so.

It's only then a "challenge" when people/authorities are actively trying to counter it.

Since nobody is doing anything it's now a "condition". 

[lordgrinz]

Impound blatant emission evading vehicles, and confiscate all land and property of people burning illegally or factories immitting harmful pollutants. Sell these pieces of property and use it to fund medical care for those adversely affected by the pollution.

[cowellandrew]

1 hour ago, 10baht said:

If there were no coal burning plants ( to produce  cheap electricity for  EVs) in China ,70 - 85 % of this in the north of Thailand would go away. Bangkok , Bangkok , Bangkok , Bangkok ,- that's pretty much all you hear. It's the poor folks in the north ( Chaing Mai & Chiang Rai ) who are the real victims. As far as the self-inflicted damage done in the north by burning is concerned - the government should provide large scale equipment ( to be rotated and shared among villages ) to do

1. Crop Residue Management: Incorporate crop residues back into the soil using machinery like mulchers or rotavators. This helps improve soil fertility and structure.

Unfortunately that costs money equipment, fuel, labour 

Burning is cheap and easy and works well with out herbicides,

And the elephant in the room is population more folk need more cheap food!

[rumeaug]

still waiting for the promised electric or hybrid  buses and all other kind of land public transport means.

In my street, one single bus followed by a one single Baht bus and the whole street's air is unbreathable. 

Conclusion, overall, they just don't do F**k all.

[mdr224]

Its a shame. It would be such an easier choice to live there if the air were clean

[john donson]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

ditto. I need a daily inhaler in Thailand but I've never had any problems in the US. I think mold here is a factor too

 

if you don't rice after your inhaler... you will get mold in your mouth...

 

egg or chicken?

[shackleton]

Yet Bangkok comes out as one   the  top city's to visit on most World Tourist surveys 

Strange 🤔

Amazing Thailand  🥳

[riverhigh]

I live in both Bangkok and Pattaya. Last year I took a PM2.5 readings of my Pattaya residence, cloese to the ocean, and my Bangkok residence. Although my Bangkok residence was close to a park/cemetry, the PM2.5 was 3 1/2 times higher than my Pattaya residence. Polution in Bangkok is no joke!! It has been raining consistently the past few weeks in Bangkok and most Bangkokians brush it off as seasonal weather caused by climate change.  Few are willing to make the connection between climate change and pollution. Using the phrase "climate change" makes it easier to ignore the pollution.

[Emdog]

Yesterday I took my daily reading at AQI: here in Jomtien it was 142. And half of the area's landscape is seawater.... I too live in Bangkok and Jomtien.... not huge differences in  air pollution

[Sydebolle]

Let's wait and see, what the goons in Bangkok at the tourism authority come up with - visit Thailand, the mother of all pollutions? 

[ourmanflint]

Prepare yourselves for more announcements

[sungod]

27 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

Prepare yourselves for more announcements

 

They will need a committee to nominate a working group before that can happen.

[KireB]

7 hours ago, RandolphGB said:

 

This exactly. The goons in charge are the Thai people and the Thai people are the goons in charge.

 

Nothing will evolve because it is, and always has been, a nation of low IQ people beset with laziness, greed, vanity and selfishness. 

 

 

Why do you even live here? Sounds to me you hate Thailand and its people to the core.  Free advice: drink less alcohol, exercise, freshen up and mingle and meet the lovely Thai people in this beautiful country. Im sure you will change your mind. That said, Einstein, how high is your IQ? I doubt it's more than 75.

Edited October 26 by KireB

[KireB]

6 hours ago, cowellandrew said:

Unfortunately that costs money equipment, fuel, labour 

Burning is cheap and easy and works well with out herbicides,

And the elephant in the room is population more folk need more cheap food!

Most of the corn, rice and sugar is exported. Thailand is choking, and CP and Mitr Phol have large profit margins. At least enough to pay off politicians and institutions. Think about that for a second. More than 30,000 people die each year, millions need medical care, just for profit margins.

[Gknrd]

12 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

ditto. I need a daily inhaler in Thailand but I've never had any problems in the US. I think mold here is a factor too

Same here, the older I got the worse it got. I lived with an inhaler. Stuck it out for many years. Many fond memories, but it finally got to be to miserable for me.

[Luuk Chaai]

19 hours ago, cowellandrew said:

Unfortunately that costs money equipment, fuel, labour 

Burning is cheap and easy and works well with out herbicides,

And the elephant in the room is population more folk need more cheap food!

anyone ever watch what goes on ,,,   I watch the villagers do this all the time

let's start in the middle ...

take a field growing melons/tomatoes,  whatever ..  it gets picked  and the remaining vegetation gets sprayed to death with some devastating vegetation killers ..  when that finally poops out.  it get plowed into piles and lit with diesel soaked rags then left unattended until it burns everything including roadside trees  ..    eventually the land gets plowed  and ready for planting with  tons of pesticides sprayed  as the plants grow,,        

repeat ...repeat ... repeat .

[10baht]

22 hours ago, cowellandrew said:

23 hours ago, 10baht said:

Expand  

Unfortunately that costs money equipment, fuel, labour 

Burning is cheap and easy and works well with out herbicides, costs money equipment, fuel, & labour are what the Thai government needs to spend its money on, not submarines or crazy tax sceems which will actually cost them more than they will make.

And the elephant in the room is population more folk need more cheap food!

Glass half full mentality never won  the day. The elephant in the room is costs money equipment, fuel,& labour  which the Thai government needs to spend its money on not buying submarines.