Why Does Bangkok Struggle With Air Pollution Year-Round?

[CharlieH]

 

Bangkok’s air quality has become a major concern To begin with, Thailand ranked 36th as one of the most polluted countries in the world then on January 8, Bangkok was ranked the 8th most polluted city globally. The dust pollution levels are over five times higher than safe limits and this is the smog that people will have to breathe in their daily lives. 

What causes this pollution though? The pollution is a result of both internal and external factors affecting the city.

 

Internal Causes of Pollution

The city’s rapid industrialisation is one of the leading causes of pollution. Emissions from vehicles, factories, and machinery contribute significantly to the poor air quality in Bangkok. The dense urban area with megaskyscrapers reduces natural airflow, and traffic congestion worsens the situation with high levels of toxic emissions.

Vehicle Emissions

Vehicles, particularly diesel-powered ones, are responsible for around 60% of the PM2.5 emissions in Bangkok. The city’s fleet of older diesel vehicles, many of which don’t meet modern emission standards, worsens the pollution problem. In a recent emission inspection, 2,141 out of 135,000 vehicles failed to meet standards, with trucks being the biggest offenders.

Recent statistics from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) indicated that out of 135,000 vehicles inspected for emissions, 2,141 failed to meet standards, with trucks accounting for 529 of these failures.

Population Density

Bangkok’s rapid urbanisation, with expanding residential and commercial spaces, increases reliance on private cars. Public transport, especially older diesel buses, is insufficient to reduce the pollution caused by private vehicles.

Combine that with the insane traffic caused by the population density plus the number of cars on the road and the results are that more emissions are being spewed around in Bangkok. 

External Factors Contributing to Pollution

Bangkok’s air pollution problem is not just limited to what goes on within the city but also happens to come from beyond the city boundaries. Practices coming from neighbouring countries and even provinces, such as the burning season in Chiang Mai, are a major example of a contributor to bad air in Bangkok. 

At the same time, the weather pattern in the city can trap pollutants as the geographical location traps pollutants from the stagnant air that it creates. This allows the pollutants to linger for longer periods of time. 

Agricultural Burning

Each dry season, from November to April, farmers in northern Thailand burn crop residues as part of traditional farming practices. The smoke from these fires creates smog that blankets the region, including cities like Chiang Mai and even Bangkok.

 This annual burning period severely impacts air quality, with pollutants travelling across borders to countries like Myanmar and Laos. Agricultural burning accounts for about 18% of the country’s emissions.

Industrial Emissions

 

In cities like Rayong and Samut Prakan, industrial emissions from factories in the petrochemical sector add to the pollution in Bangkok. These industries release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the region’s growing air pollution.

Although beneficial to keep the wheels turning in the Thai economy, they remain detrimental to the air quality overall.

Meteorological Factors

Bangkok’s location makes it prone to poor air quality. During the dry season, the city experiences stagnant air, which traps pollution close to the ground. High humidity and little wind prevent the pollutants from dispersing, allowing them to accumulate, especially in the city’s congested areas.

The best analogy to use when describing Bangkok is that the weather traps the dirty air closer to Bangkok’s ground like a lid on a pot.

 

Types of Pollutants

Air pollution in Bangkok consists of two types of pollutants: primary and secondary. Primary pollutants are released directly into the air, while secondary pollutants are formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

 

 

Primary Pollutants include:

• Particulate Matter (PM2.5): This fine dust can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing severe health risks.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO): Produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.

• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): Emitted by vehicles and industrial processes.

• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂): Released by power plants and factories.

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Found in everyday products like paints and solvents.

Secondary Pollutants include:

• Ground-Level Ozone (O₃): Formed when VOCs react with NO₂ in sunlight, contributing to smog.

• Smog: A mixture of smoke and fog, which is harmful to health.

• Acid Rain: Created when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with atmospheric water vapour.

The combination of internal and external factors makes Bangkok’s air quality a significant challenge. While individual actions can’t solve the problem on their own, small changes can help reduce environmental impacts. By being mindful of our actions, we can contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.

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Summary of original article by The Thaiger

 

 

 

[alex8912]

I've only seen clear sky and stars in the Bangkok evenings recently. Very comfortable night and day. When I see so much info as above it makes you wonder. 

[Tarteso]

Bangkok Today

 

[richard_smith237]

Bangkok doesn't suffer 'bad' air pollution year round....    its suffers seasonal poor levels of pollution over the cooler / drier months...  (December an Jan) - the rest of the time its not 'too bad'....  and at times its better than other Western Major capitals. 

 

 

[Justanotherone]

there is pollution all year round

 

the occasional rain can help a bit

 

cool season, so called high season for tourist =  no rain and super bad for health

 

all those stupid tourists are not aware of the toxin air, specially if they bring babies or small kids...

 

clear air in their home country, outrages dangerous and hidden here...

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, Justanotherone said:

there is pollution all year round

 

the occasional rain can help a bit

 

cool season, so called high season for tourist =  no rain and super bad for health

 

all those stupid tourists are not aware of the toxin air, specially if they bring babies or small kids...

 

clear air in their home country, outrages dangerous and hidden here...

 

I assume you live in Davos ?  

[Presnock]

On 1/14/2025 at 12:24 PM, alex8912 said:

I've only seen clear sky and stars in the Bangkok evenings recently. Very comfortable night and day. When I see so much info as above it makes you wonder. 

well, my daughter began college in BKK two years ago so we are renting a house in BKK even though we own a house in CM.  I have for years owned a 2.5 micron meter (cheap from Lazada) and every AM when I the dog(s) out for their morning business, I measure the pollution - almost daily, the level is above the WHO recommendation (38) for clean air - accuweather for your district/city/country daily also provides a reading and I have found that more often than not the air is not healthy in BKK so my family continues to wear an N(% mask whenever we are outside and our house has air cleaners in every occupied room.  Even when I was assigned to the embassy in the mid 70's, 90's early 2000's, visiting US govt doctors complained about my outside exercise and advised about masks as the pollution here is permanent it seems for various reasons.  NASA has a satellite that shows open fires too - during the burning season ast least, Thailand along with SEA is almost all RED indicating thousands of fires.  Needless to say itis not good for our health but...to us Thailand is still enough of a Paradise to remain though some thoughts of seasonal travel are being discussed more often now.  Even the current govt recognizes openly about the problem and indicates talking with other SEA countries but even with agreements, nothing will change in my lifetime for sure.  Farmers have traditionally burned waste on farm lands, mushroom hunters  still burn forests against local laws of that, govts promise to "fix" the problems but nothing seems to change except for more and more pollution in my opinion anyway.  

[harryviking]

LOL! WHY??? Oh dear me....😆

[CharlieH]

Off topic posts removed.

 

[cardinalblue]

Too many people, third world attitude, lack of commitment and no proper protocols and programs worth a damn are in place to deal with AP