Minister launches emergency plan as deadly dust chokes Thailand

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of NIDA

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Thailand Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin issued an urgent response to soaring PM 2.5 air pollution levels, which have breached safety thresholds in 14 provinces, threatening public health.

 

Chairing an emergency meeting yesterday, January 9, Somsak revealed a series of measures to combat the crisis, which has affected 53 provinces since October last year and is expected to persist until January 15.

 

“Prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 can cause severe respiratory, cardiovascular, and cancer-related illnesses. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions, face the highest risks.”

 

To protect affected communities, the ministry has established 4,700 dust-free rooms across 56 provinces, including public health facilities, schools, offices, and restaurants. Additionally, 1,338 anti-dust nets have been distributed to bedridden patients and homebound individuals. Face masks and dust nets will be provided to at-risk groups, including outdoor workers and volunteers.

 

 

A multi-faceted approach has been rolled out:

 

• Health screenings: Teams are conducting proactive screenings for respiratory, cardiovascular, and skin conditions in high-risk areas.
• Awareness campaigns: Digital tools and media are being used to alert the public, particularly high-risk groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
• Work-from-home policies: Vulnerable groups are urged to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors during peak pollution hours.
• Medical support: Emergency health teams are being deployed to assist hard-hit communities.

 

The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has been upgraded to coordinate a swift response. Residents are urged to monitor PM 2.5 levels, wear protective masks, and seek medical help for symptoms like persistent coughing or chest pain, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-10

 

 

[tomazbodner]

2 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

A multi-faceted approach has been rolled out:

 

• Health screenings: Teams are conducting proactive screenings for respiratory, cardiovascular, and skin conditions in high-risk areas.
• Awareness campaigns: Digital tools and media are being used to alert the public, particularly high-risk groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
• Work-from-home policies: Vulnerable groups are urged to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors during peak pollution hours.
• Medical support: Emergency health teams are being deployed to assist hard-hit communities.

Good, good... but where's the part of lowering the pollution levels by tackling its sources?

[MikeandDow]

Typical Thai knee jerk reaction no real plan on how to reduce the pollution

[Upnotover]

Top work!  It's already clearing, although the wind may have had some impact today.

[Will B Good]

 

 

Not one single action deals with the problem....only the symptoms.....hopeless.

[0ffshore360]

Few seem to recognize that this annual issue is unpreventable unless centuries old farming practices are forcefully banned in South East Asia in total.

If much of the pollution does not drift  from one direction it comes from the other outside of Thai jurisdictional influence.

The percentage that is generated from burning off inside national Reserve areas could indeed be much better policed but in reality it is a small percentage of the total problem.

Pay generously to stop rice and cane growers and also pay generously for imported grains to satisfy expectation ?

Go for it !

[BarBoy]

29 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

To protect affected communities, the ministry has established 4,700 dust-free rooms across 56 provinces, including public health facilities, schools, offices, and restaurants. Additionally, 1,338 anti-dust nets have been distributed to bedridden patients and homebound individuals. Face masks and dust nets will be provided to at-risk groups, including outdoor workers and volunteers.

......what the hell have I just read?????

[Highball]

What is so difficult about getting Big Ag not to burn and setting immediate vehicle emissions restrictions on 200km radius of BKK. Odd even days until the extreme of it lifts. Free rail for all who park and ride. Can be done tomorrow. Cost is negligible.. next to nothing

[Highball]

9 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

s a small percentage of the total problem.

Pay generously to stop rice and cane growers and also pay generously for imported grains to satisfy expectation ?

Or jail them? We know that will never happen.

[KannikaP]

6 minutes ago, Highball said:

What is so difficult about getting Big Ag not to burn and setting immediate vehicle emissions restrictions on 200km radius of BKK. Odd even days until the extreme of it lifts. Free rail for all who park and ride. Can be done tomorrow. Cost is negligible.. next to nothing

My home is 350km north of Bkk, so must I just put up with it?

Or a car from up t'North belching black smoke must get it fixed 200km before Bkk?

Silly idea. Stop the pollutants in ALL of Thailand.

However, in my village there is no waste collection so what can we do with it?

[bkk6060]

Do not think there is some plan or idea to make it better.  Because it never will get better, just worse.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Few seem to recognize that this annual issue is unpreventable unless centuries old farming practices are forcefully banned in South East Asia in total.

If much of the pollution does not drift  from one direction it comes from the other outside of Thai jurisdictional influence.

The percentage that is generated from burning off inside national Reserve areas could indeed be much better policed but in reality it is a small percentage of the total problem.

Pay generously to stop rice and cane growers and also pay generously for imported grains to satisfy expectation ?

Go for it !

 

One other area that seems to be ignored is roadside clearance.......as an example........from Nong Bua Daeng to Chaiyaphum

(one hour drive) 20m to 30m from the roadside, both sides is burned every year......that must be done by the authorities.

[ChaiyaTH]

12th year in a row we get the same BS news with zero solution and zero progress. Oh I get it, their solution is that you stay at home 24/7 with air filters in a condo, to work there and not live a life.

[kickstart]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

One other area that seems to be ignored is roadside clearance.......as an example........from Nong Bua Daeng to Chaiyaphum

(one hour drive) 20m to 30m from the roadside, both sides is burned every year......that must be done by the authorities.

It is the same where I am, a bit south of you, what I have noticed it is the Chow Bann, villagers, that burn the roadsides not the authorities, and if you notice it is done early evening time, all the local government staff would have gone home by then.

 

Also in our area, our sugar mill has been open for 1 month not seen a load of burnt cane go to the mill yet. and last year our local mill received 1.5 million ton of cane, very little was burnt.

 

But ,no such thing as a free lunch, our cane is now cut by machine, secondhand ones imported from Australia and Brazil, a local guy we know has 500 rie of cane ,he showed me his diesel  bill, for the most of last season was 100 000 baht ,most of that was  fuel for his cane cutter ,he rest was haulage costs for trucks and trailers hauling cane to the mill ,hardly Enviornmental  friendly, for the cane cutter, I now see a procession ,cane cutter going down the road ,followed by a truck and trailer ,then a tractor towing a large diesel cart,.............before it would have been the cost a box of matches.

 

[atpeace]

2 hours ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Few seem to recognize that this annual issue is unpreventable unless centuries old farming practices are forcefully banned in South East Asia in total.

If much of the pollution does not drift  from one direction it comes from the other outside of Thai jurisdictional influence.

The percentage that is generated from burning off inside national Reserve areas could indeed be much better policed but in reality it is a small percentage of the total problem.

Pay generously to stop rice and cane growers and also pay generously for imported grains to satisfy expectation ?

Go for it !

You are so wrong. Do you travel in Thailand? Some areas are ok during the burning season and others where the burning is happening are terrible. Im on long road trip now and the crap is not being blown in from other countries. Yes polution travels but most of the polution in Thailand is created locally. 

[MikeandDow]

7 minutes ago, atpeace said:

You are so wrong. Do you travel in Thailand? Some areas are ok during the burning season and others where the burning is happening are terrible. Im on long road trip now and the crap is not being blown in from other countries. Yes polution travels but most of the polution in Thailand is created locally. 

Correct It is locally

There is a lot of factors it is just not the burning that is causing the polution

 

Air pollution in Thailand is caused by a combination of

Vehicular emissions

Exhaust fumes from cars and other vehicles are a major source of air pollution in Thailand.

In Bangkok, vehicular emissions are the main source of PM10, a type of air pollutant.

Industrial emissions

Industrial processes release chemical fumes, vapors, and other pollutants into the air.

Industrial zones, such as the Map Tha Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong, are hotspots for pollution.

Agricultural burning

The burning of agricultural waste, such as sugarcane and corn, is a major source of air pollution in Thailand.

Forest fires and transboundary haze from neighboring countries, such as Myanmar and Laos, also contribute to air pollution.

[atpeace]

18 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Correct It is locally

There is a lot of factors it is just not the burning that is causing the polution

 

Air pollution in Thailand is caused by a combination of

Vehicular emissions

Exhaust fumes from cars and other vehicles are a major source of air pollution in Thailand.

In Bangkok, vehicular emissions are the main source of PM10, a type of air pollutant.

Industrial emissions

Industrial processes release chemical fumes, vapors, and other pollutants into the air.

Industrial zones, such as the Map Tha Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong, are hotspots for pollution.

Agricultural burning

The burning of agricultural waste, such as sugarcane and corn, is a major source of air pollution in Thailand.

Forest fires and transboundary haze from neighboring countries, such as Myanmar and Laos, also contribute to air pollution.

I agree but I can avoid most of the above polutants.  I now live in a place with a short burning season but wish during my travels during the nicest weather in Thailand the polution was not extremely unhealthy.  Chiang Mai would be perfect the next few months but is a no go area for me.

 

[jvs]

3 hours ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Few seem to recognize that this annual issue is unpreventable unless centuries old farming practices are forcefully banned in South East Asia in total.

If much of the pollution does not drift  from one direction it comes from the other outside of Thai jurisdictional influence.

The percentage that is generated from burning off inside national Reserve areas could indeed be much better policed but in reality it is a small percentage of the total problem.

Pay generously to stop rice and cane growers and also pay generously for imported grains to satisfy expectation ?

Go for it !

Rice and sugar cane growers are too often not the owner of said operation.

The rich keep protecting each other .

Thailand is part of Asean and if they wanted to do something about this they easily could.

Every year we all know the dust and smog is coming but every year no one does anything about it,yes a few meetings ,spray water in the air and tell people to wear a mask.

If not properly addressed ,and soon,it will get worse every year!

Ignoring this for longer will start costing Thailand a lot of money.

This will not go away by itself,we need a government with vision and one that is free to act,if you know what i mean.

[DonniePeverley]

They literally have public busses running on the streets blowing out black smoke.

 

Why not ban them for a start ?

 

The vehicle emissions is disgusting in Bangkok. Make sure vehicles comply with regulations on emissions - and actively pursue those who break the rules. 

[Taboo2]

Until they address the root cause, there is nothing that will stop this smog.  Just like the more runs in CA, who continue to ignore the root cause of forest fires.

[AlexRich]

The worst air pollution that I experienced in South East Asia was in Kuala Lumpur, followed by Chiang Mai. Having experienced very little of that in life it was a horrible experience, and I feel sympathy for anyone who has to live in such areas. 
 

A lot of the KL smog came over from Sumatra, Indonesia, where farmers were burning fields. It’s a problem that requires coordination and political will … which I see no signs of. 

[ukrules]

7 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Correct It is locally

There is a lot of factors it is just not the burning that is causing the polution

 

Yet this burning is what makes it a big problem at times when they burn, the other things are year around.

[GammaGlobulin]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

emergency meeting

 

Seems like....NOT..... an emergency.

 

Best solution is to

 

a. Seal all windows in the house.

b. Buy air purifiers.

c. Buy air conditioner units.

d. Buy plenty of 3M N98 respirators.

d. Hire a reliable company to check the envelope of one's house for any "drafts" from outside.  This is beneficial, because...when the wind blows, the wind will blow smoke into homes if homes are not properly sealed.

e. Follow advice given by true experts who base their advice on SCIENCE.

 

We are entering the Smoking Season.

Pointless to complain about it.

 

Just as it is pointless to complain or expect any solution to Global Warming.

 

There WILL be smoke, every year.

Ten years from now, the smoke will be even worse.

 

To think otherwise is Pie in the SKY thinking.

 

Therefore, just learn to adapt, and protect one's health.

 

 

[newbee2022]

11 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Typical Thai knee jerk reaction no real plan on how to reduce the pollution

What is your plan? 

[dr_lucas]

10 hours ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Few seem to recognize that this annual issue is unpreventable unless centuries old farming practices are forcefully banned in South East Asia in total.

If much of the pollution does not drift  from one direction it comes from the other outside of Thai jurisdictional influence.

The percentage that is generated from burning off inside national Reserve areas could indeed be much better policed but in reality it is a small percentage of the total problem.

Pay generously to stop rice and cane growers and also pay generously for imported grains to satisfy expectation ?

Go for it !

"A small percentage of the total problem" 

Citations needed. 

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Chairing an emergency meeting yesterday, January 9, Somsak revealed a series of measures to combat the crisis, which has affected 53 provinces since October last year and is expected to persist until January 15.

Useless people... it happens every year and is a combination of problems, so one solution is not the answer.

Depending on the location it is a combination of commercial and domestic burning, vehicle emissions, construction sites again commercial and domestic,  and most of all a lack of cleanliness in most areas, the country is covered in dust and dirt.

Externally if on a border and downwind there maybe pollution from a neighbouring country

[Naamblar2014]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Work-from-home policies: Vulnerable groups are urged to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors during peak pollution hours.

Doesn't the air inside come from outside?

[mdr224]

Live in thailand, get respiratory disease. Thats just the way it is

[riverhigh]

I agree with the majority of posters of this thread. Another knee-jerk reactions that addresses the symtoms and not the causes. Complete waste of money!  For once,  just once, why can't they address vehicle emissions, burning fields, etc. that are clearly the problem. Bangkok is a joke when it comes to pollution and until the hospitals are filled up with people dying of lung cancer nothing will be done.

[Gknrd]

I don't see how anyone can live there. Especially older retiree's.