As dawn broke over Thailand's capital today, an invisible foe silently blanketed the city; hazardous levels of PM2.5 atmospheric pollutants crept across 49 of Bangkok's districts. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) promptly rang alarm bells, cautioning residents about the health threatening pollution levels surpassing standard safety limits.

 

This ominous revelation, reported at 7am, came as the GISTDA released data collated from cutting-edge satellite technology through their Check Dust application. Disturbingly, it revealed that the air residents inhaled across all but one of Bangkok's districts fell profoundly into a red zone, indicating severe pollution levels detrimental to individual health. Only the district of Nong Chok somewhat escaped, sitting in an orange zone that, while healthier, still poses significant concerns. The upshot? Everyone was advised to sport masks outside, limiting exposure to potentially respiratory disease-inducing air.

 

Always on the side of caution, GISTDA also pointed the public towards their Check Dust application to get real-time updates on air quality and PM2.5 levels. The app, available on both iOS and Android platforms, empowers people to keep tabs on air quality, irrespective of their location.

 

 

In a parallel narrative, Bangkok has recently witnessed a startling spike in PM2.5 pollution levels. This surge led to 35 regions registering unhealthy air quality, a move that had City Hall bustling. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) initiated immediate warnings, aiming to arm residents in their battle against an enemy as common as air—literally.

 

PM2.5, a term for ultra-fine dust particles that can lodge deep into our lungs, had soared past the safe threshold of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in various parts of Bangkok, according to data from AirBKK. Several districts, including Nong Khaem, Thon Buri, Klong Sam Wa, and Thawi Watthana endured severe pollution levels, plunging them into the range marked by the city as severely polluted. Even the Dusit area nudged past the safe limit.

 

In these 35 vicinities, PM2.5 levels tipped over the brink, earning them an unwanted orange status on the pollution monitor. The rest of Bangkok, meanwhile, experienced only marginally better air quality—remaining firmly in the grip of moderate pollution. As the city continues its struggle for breathable air, here's a thought—against this silent adversary, every breath counts.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-13

 

 

OK, so what's the source of it? Anyone cares?

42 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

OK, so what's the source of it? Anyone cares?

Not really, it's just how it is here at this time of year.

Pollution season has started in Thailand, same every year.

6 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

OK, so what's the source of it? Anyone cares?

 

I believe the seasonal variation in winds which come November time shift from the moist air from the Indian ocean to winds coming in from the North, mainly China.

 

Those winds trap pollutants in area's of higher building density (populated areas) due to temperature inversion.

 

Bangkok's factories continue their operations, emitting pollutants that get trapped in the stagnant air.

 

Farmers in surrounding regions burn crop residues during this period, adding to the smoky haze which due to wind direction  has less opportunity to clear.