Expats How Do You Deal With The Toxic Air Pollution in Thailand?

[Mitkof Island]

Curious how most expats deal with the air pollution in their homes.

Do you have air-con in every room or a safe room to stay inside?

Do you use air purifiers also?

Name brands of air purifiers would be helpful along with prices where you purchased it and how it works in your home or room.

As much information as possible would be helpful for all those concerned.

Since the government seems totally unwilling to make any effort to clean up the air and garbage pollution.

We are all at risk including those working for the government and their families!

[blaze master]

Do a quick search on this forum all of your questions shall be answered. 

[Thailand]

Generally suck it up and get on with my remaining years in a place that I love despite the problems.

[OneMoreFarang]

High floor condominium - up here the pollution is not half as bad as on street level.

ACs with filters.

Air purifier in the bedroom.

 

Personally, I only had a problem with the bad air when I want to sleep. With better air quality high up and the air purifier that problem is basically solved for me.

I also ride motorcycle in the bad air. But for whatever reason that doesn't really affect me.

 

[KhunLA]

Live as far south as practical, for us, that's 1.5 hrs / 100 kms south of Hua Hin.

 

Cuts the bad months of pollution, to about 2-3 months instead of 6, and AQI usually <100.   PM2.5 is still an issue.

 

Air purifiers, stand alone and build into ACs at the house, and car also has purifier.  All work excellent, keeping PM2.5 to <5, and well within healthy range.

 

Minimal if any effect on body.  Unlike when living in Udon Thani, when a rough throat & cough was common for smog season, till investing in air purifiers.  

 

A rude awakening when realizing just how poor the air was before being enlightened, using PM2.5 meter.  Not much news about AQI or PM2.5 numbers at the time, 20+ years ago.  

 

Control of, hiding that news is no longer done and the facts speak for themselves.

[FriscoKid]

Multiple air filters running 24/7. Xiaomi makes good ones that are inexpensive if you are budget minded. If you want high-end machines then go for BlueAir from Sweden. Lazada is your friend. 

[jas007]

I don't have any kind of breathing difficulties, so I don't notice.  For those that do, I'm not sure there will be any changes anytime soon.  

 

Air pollution isn't unique to Thailand.  Big cities all over the world have a similar problem. The very first time I flew into Los Angeles, it was a beautiful day.  Sunshine and clear skies. Then, as we approached LA, there was a brown fog over the city. Clear skies one minute, and a few minutes later the plane descended through a bunch of pollution.  That was LA, back in the day. You could be on the ground in LA, and not be able to see the mountains for all the pollution.  Partly, it's the result of a temperature inversion or whatever. Some cities have it wore than others. 

[Mitkof Island]

26 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

High floor condominium - up here the pollution is not half as bad as on street level.

ACs with filters.

Air purifier in the bedroom.

 

Personally, I only had a problem with the bad air when I want to sleep. With better air quality high up and the air purifier that problem is basically solved for me.

I also ride motorcycle in the bad air. But for whatever reason that doesn't really affect me.

 

Yes it is mostly at night between the hours of 6pm soon after sunset tends to hit a peak about 1 am than slowly gets better sometimes not. What is the air purifier brand , changing filters ? , how much from where? helpful much?

[soi3eddie]

Bangkok. Near victory monument. I think that the stress of worrying about AQI numbers is worse than getting on with life. Sure, the air quality in Bangkok will never be alpine fresh but WhyTF does anyone live here if they are paranoid about AQI. For most I know, they just get on with life. Don't like it, don't live here. Now, living in Chiang Mai from January to April would be a different matter for me - I would not do it. But then, so many expats head south, or overseas during those months. Just deal with it and stop complaining.

 

[Hummin]

I had a plan to make my open balcony 36m2 a "wintergarden" with isolated glasses, aircon and air purifier, but I made a 180 last year, and moved back home. Thats how I delt with the pollution, heat and finely the proposed taxation. 

 

I still want to make a wintergarden here, but postponed for now.

[CMHomeboy78]

I'm a graphic artist.

I paint what I see... sometimes in my head, sometimes out of it.

 

[Mitkof Island]

8 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Live as far south as practical, for us, that's 1.5 hrs / 100 kms south of Hua Hin.

 

Cuts the bad months of pollution, to about 2-3 months instead of 6, and AQI usually <100.   PM2.5 is still an issue.

 

Air purifiers, stand alone and build into ACs at the house, and car also has purifier.  All work excellent, keeping PM2.5 to <5, and well within healthy range.

 

Minimal if any effect on body.  Unlike when living in Udon Thani, when a rough throat & cough was common for smog season, till investing in air purifiers.  

 

A rude awakening when realizing just how poor the air was before being enlightened, using PM2.5 meter.  Not much news about AQI or PM2.5 numbers at the time, 20+ years ago.  

 

Control of, hiding that news is no longer done and the facts speak for themselves.

Are Air Humidifiers helpful at all?  Where did you purchase the air purifiers and how much? Anything at a Homepro store itself?

[motdaeng]

just because you don't feel or see pollution now doesn't mean it won't affect your health in the future.

it seems that nearly all thai people and most foreigners underestimate this fact and downplay the issue of air pollution until it directly affects them (health issues) or someone in their family or circle of friends.

 

a few basic facts to the pm2.5 pollution:

• pm2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
• sources: vehicle emissions, industrial processes, burning,  wildfires etc.
• health impact: can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
• measurement: expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
• safe levels: the who recommends 15 µg/m³ (24-hour) and 5 µg/m³ (annual).
• Air Quality Index: pm2.5  of 15 µg/m³ = AOI 57  and 5 µg/m³ = AOI 21 
• prevention: use masks, air purifiers, and limit outdoor activities during high pollution levels.

 

2025 01 20 : AQI map of thailand .... https://aqicn.org/country/thailand/

 

 

[motdaeng]

2 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Are Air Humidifiers helpful at all?  Where did you purchase the air purifiers and how much? Anything at a Homepro store itself?

 

 

you need to buy an air purifier and a pm2.5 meter, not an air humidifier.

[OneMoreFarang]

11 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Yes it is mostly at night between the hours of 6pm soon after sunset tends to hit a peak about 1 am than slowly gets better sometimes not. What is the air purifier brand , changing filters ? , how much from where? helpful much?

I have a Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier, about 4000 THB, I don't remember the model number.

It shows when the filter should be changed. In my case maybe every 6 months.

And I do exchange the filter. It seems some people try to clean the filter, but I don't think on that level that is really possible.

 

Similar to this:
https://www.lazada.co.th/products/1-xiaomi-mi-air-purifier-4-compact4lite44pro-th-version-i5174555610-s21937814598.html?

[OneMoreFarang]

10 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Bangkok. Near victory monument. I think that the stress of worrying about AQI numbers is worse than getting on with life. Sure, the air quality in Bangkok will never be alpine fresh but WhyTF does anyone live here if they are paranoid about AQI. For most I know, they just get on with life. Don't like it, don't live here. Now, living in Chiang Mai from January to April would be a different matter for me - I would not do it. But then, so many expats head south, or overseas during those months. Just deal with it and stop complaining.

 

 

Obviously, there will always be air pollution in Bangkok. A couple of years ago I bought my first air purifier, and I was surprised how much of a difference it made. Above are the details.

[Mitkof Island]

1 hour ago, motdaeng said:

just because you don't feel or see pollution now doesn't mean it won't affect your health in the future.

it seems that nearly all thai people and most foreigners underestimate this fact and downplay the issue of air pollution until it directly affects them (health issues) or someone in their family or circle of friends.

 

a few basic facts to the pm2.5 pollution:

• pm2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
• sources: vehicle emissions, industrial processes, burning,  wildfires etc.
• health impact: can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
• measurement: expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
• safe levels: the who recommends 15 µg/m³ (24-hour) and 5 µg/m³ (annual).
• Air Quality Index: pm2.5  of 15 µg/m³ = AOI 57  and 5 µg/m³ = AOI 21 
• prevention: use masks, air purifiers, and limit outdoor activities during high pollution levels.

 

2025 01 20 : AQI map of thailand .... https://aqicn.org/country/thailand/

 

 

I am glad someone is taking this matter seriously. Maybe have some high ranking government officials spend a couple of weeks sleeping in a tent will maybe get a hint pollution does not care how much money you have YOU and your CHILDREN are going to suffer.

[KhunLA]

4 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Are Air Humidifiers helpful at all?  Where did you purchase the air purifiers and how much? Anything at a Homepro store itself?

Don't need an Air Humidifier, as RH is 60-80% in cool/dry season.  Dehumidifier would be more like it, though don't think it helps with smog.

 

I'm a Xiaomi fan, and we have 2, and also gave another to my daughter for her condo.

 

Xiaomi flagship store on LAZ ...

https://www.lazada.co.th/xiaomi/?q=AIR PURIFIER&from=wangpu&langFlag=en&pageTypeId=2&spm=a2o4m.10453683.searchbar.0

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, motdaeng said:

just because you don't feel or see pollution now doesn't mean it won't affect your health in the future.

it seems that nearly all thai people and most foreigners underestimate this fact and downplay the issue of air pollution until it directly affects them (health issues) or someone in their family or circle of friends.

 

a few basic facts to the pm2.5 pollution:

• pm2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
• sources: vehicle emissions, industrial processes, burning,  wildfires etc.
• health impact: can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
• measurement: expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
• safe levels: the who recommends 15 µg/m³ (24-hour) and 5 µg/m³ (annual).
• Air Quality Index: pm2.5  of 15 µg/m³ = AOI 57  and 5 µg/m³ = AOI 21 
• prevention: use masks, air purifiers, and limit outdoor activities during high pollution levels.

 

2025 01 20 : AQI map of thailand .... https://aqicn.org/country/thailand/

 

Not too bad where I live and it is usually only a couple of months of the year.

Current readings mid to high 70's AQI . Low 90's two weeks ago with the strong winds from the N and NE.

I live with doors and windows open for the sea breezes.

I have survived the last 25 years on the island.

Good enough for me.

 

https://www.iqair.com/thailand/surat-thani/bo-put/koh-samui-plai-laem-outdoor

[Neeranam]

I use an air purifier most of the day and all night. Even got one in my car, 

152 in Hua hIn today.

[Yagoda]

I packed my bags and moved to Siem Reap.

[Neeranam]

14 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Live as far south as practical, for us, that's 1.5 hrs / 100 kms south of Hua Hin.

 

Cuts the bad months of pollution, to about 2-3 months instead of 6, and AQI usually <100.   PM2.5 is still an issue.

 

Air purifiers, stand alone and build into ACs at the house, and car also has purifier.  All work excellent, keeping PM2.5 to <5, and well within healthy range.

 

Minimal if any effect on body.  Unlike when living in Udon Thani, when a rough throat & cough was common for smog season, till investing in air purifiers.  

 

A rude awakening when realizing just how poor the air was before being enlightened, using PM2.5 meter.  Not much news about AQI or PM2.5 numbers at the time, 20+ years ago.  

 

Control of, hiding that news is no longer done and the facts speak for themselves.

How do you measure the PM2.5 in your house?

I wonder if my purifier works when the air con is on, as all the air is coming from outside. 

[Hummin]

Just now, Neeranam said:

How do you measure the PM2.5 in your house?

I wonder if my purifier works when the air con is on, as all the air is coming from outside. 

Aircon jus circulate air inside house, not taking air from outside

[KhunLA]

6 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

How do you measure the PM2.5 in your house?

I wonder if my purifier works when the air con is on, as all the air is coming from outside. 

 

ACs are not on at present, just the purifiers.

 

PM2.5 meters available online, LAZ has them, not expensive.

 

[Neeranam]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Is that part of the air con or a separate device?

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Is that part of the air con or a separate device?

 

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

PM2.5 meters available online, LAZ has them, not expensive.

The newer Xiaomi purifiers have a display, and idiot light.  Will also cycle down automatically, when PM2.5 at healthy level.

[Njoku]

I bought an air purifier last year, I lock myself in my condo and run it with the air con.

[Nemises]

 

[Gottfrid]

15 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Curious how most expats deal with the air pollution in their homes.

Do you have air-con in every room or a safe room to stay inside?

Do you use air purifiers also?

Name brands of air purifiers would be helpful along with prices where you purchased it and how it works in your home or room.

As much information as possible would be helpful for all those concerned.

Since the government seems totally unwilling to make any effort to clean up the air and garbage pollution.

We are all at risk including those working for the government and their families!

Chapter 11 verse 3 of the doomsday prophecy.

Anyway, answer: I just don´t give a s-t.

[Neeranam]

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

Chapter 11 verse 3 of the doomsday prophecy.

Anyway, answer: I just don´t give a s-t.

If you get diagnosed with something like Emphysema, you will give a <deleted>.