PM Paetongtarn Orders Action as Air Pollution Reaches Hazardous Levels

[Deez]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:20 AM, webfact said:

File photo courtesy: Stefanos Fotiou via ESCAP

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stepped up the battle against Thailand's air pollution crisis, with PM2.5 fine particulate matter levels reaching hazardous levels. Following a decisive cabinet meeting, she has prolonged the directive to engage various ministries to anchor efforts in achieving lower pollution levels than last year.

 

After the meeting, Ms. Paetongtarn addressed the press at Government House, highlighting the concerning rise in dust levels across provinces, as evidenced by satellite images revealing more heat spots. The priority, she said, was clear-cut measures implemented by both relevant governmental bodies and sugarcane farmers, who are often responsible for agricultural burning.

 

Last year’s dust pollution, largely attributed to 70% of agricultural burning, has seen a commendable reduction to 30-35% this year. This achievement follows initiatives spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, persuading farmers to adopt less harmful burning practices.

 

Further sharpening the focus, the Prime Minister has tasked the cabinet with better control of gas emissions while urging the Transport Ministry to intensify scrutiny over large vehicles emitting excessive fumes. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior is to mobilise the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and local administrative bodies to tackle air quality issues vigorously.

 

In an era of heightened public sensitivity to pollution, Ms. Paetongtarn assured comprehensive governmental collaboration across all sectors. With implemented and ongoing measures, she expressed optimism for a marked reduction in pollution levels compared to last year.

 

The urgency of the situation was starkly illustrated on Tuesday morning when Bangkok experienced "red" hazardous PM2.5 levels. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported average PM2.5 concentrations of 88.6 microgrammes per cubic metre in Bangkok over 24 hours—more than double the government-set safe threshold of 37.5 µg/m³. Alarming levels were recorded across all 50 districts, hitting 96.7 µg/m³ in Bang Kho Laem.

 

Neighbouring provinces such as Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Pathum Thani also faced severe pollution, with levels hitting 83.6, 80.9, 79.5, and 79.1 µg/m³ respectively. The Pollution Control Department forecasted that PM2.5 levels would continue to rise throughout Greater Bangkok from Wednesday to Friday.

 

With these steps and increased vigilance, the Thai government looks to assuage this rampant environmental issue, promising a clearer and healthier path ahead for its residents. The initiatives underscore a national commitment to not only tackle present air quality challenges but also lay a foundation for sustainable environmental stewardship in the future, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-08

 

 

Another lackey demanding action with no plan for fire starters. 

[Aussie999]

after reading the headline, no need to read further, same bull<deleted> we get every year...

[it is what it is]

 

this problem was solved, to much fanfare and self congratulatory back slapping, around 10 years ago with these air cleaning machines...
 

[MikeandDow]

There is formation of committes for everything but thats it !!  nothing happens, no results, no plan,  Its like "ground hog day" over and over !!

[mikebell]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:20 AM, webfact said:

the Prime Minister has tasked the cabinet with better control of gas emissions while urging the Transport Ministry to intensify scrutiny over large vehicles emitting excessive fumes. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior is to mobilise the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and local administrative bodies to tackle air quality issues vigorously.

If she would only include RTP in this venture, they might spot the hundred daily fires; the polluting, ill-maintained, diesel vehicles chugging past the police station every hour.

[MikeandDow]

12 minutes ago, mikebell said:

If she would only include RTP in this venture, they might spot the hundred daily fires; the polluting, ill-maintained, diesel vehicles chugging past the police station every hour.

Oh no !! that means the RTP have to work!   never happen !

[lordgrinz]

Hey Paetongtarn, the horse has left the stable.

[nikmar]

I always liked the Prayut regime's idea of spraying molasses in the air for the pollution molecules to adhere to. Brilliant 😄

[UWEB]

Just use  Military Forces and copy Dutertes Concept for Drug Dealers, sorted. Within a week Thailand has the cleanest Air on Earth.

[MikeandDow]

51 minutes ago, nikmar said:

I always liked the Prayut regime's idea of spraying molasses in the air for the pollution molecules to adhere to. Brilliant 😄

They did this last year

12 drones were been deployed on a test mission to spray water and a ‘non-hazardous chemical spray’ 25 metres above a park for periods of 30-40 minutes.

According to Preecha Pradapmuk, director of the Defence Technology Institute (DTI), the results show levels of PM2.5 was reduced by 10 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) on average.

[stix40]

They  burn any old <deleted> !