Thailand Enforces Burning Ban to Combat PM2.5 Pollution

[webfact]

File photo

 

Thailand has instituted a nationwide burning ban to address escalating PM2.5 pollution levels, as stagnant air circulation is expected to persist until early February, potentially exacerbating the situation. The government, keen on mitigating the pollution at its source, announced strict enforcement of the ban across the country.

 

Government spokesman, Jirayu Houngsub, relayed that the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee, which he advises, has taken decisive steps in response to this environmental challenge by heightening measures in regions with the highest pollution concentrations.

 

Municipal bodies are tasked with rigorous adherence to the ban, ensuring compliance and regularly updating the committee on enforcement progress.

 

Additionally, plans are underway for Thailand's Public Health Ministry to dispatch emergency medical teams to assist vulnerable groups, such as infants, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with respiratory conditions, and heart disease patients, who are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of the pollution.

 

Key areas reporting the highest PM2.5 levels include Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Nonthaburi, Saraburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

In response, the Public Health Ministry has distributed 1.1 million N95 masks, while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has provided 377,000 masks to at-risk populations.

 

The initiative, however, has faced scrutiny in the political arena. During a parliamentary session, opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut criticised the current government's efforts, led by the Pheu Thai party, for insufficient decentralisation in pollution control.

 

He highlighted gaps in budget allocation for forest fire management, noting that of the THB 620 million earmarked for 1,800 sites in 14 provinces, only 90 sites have received funding. This shortfall leaves other high-risk areas unaddressed.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, standing in for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, confirmed that a portion of the budget has been channelled towards disaster prevention training for officers nationwide.

 

This burning ban serves as a pivotal measure in Thailand's ongoing battle against pollution, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving air quality and safeguarding public health, reported Bangkok Post. 

 

-- 2025-01-31

 

 

[UWEB]

Good step forward but how to enforce? Best would be to use military Forces as local Bodies are far to corrupt and will do nothing.

[MikeandDow]

All talk no action same every year

[ozz1]

As if the sugar farmers are going to take any notice a lot of the sugar has already been harvested and then they burn what's left just go up in a plane and any fool can see where it's happening

[edwinchester]

On the school run this morning sugarcane burning was going on in several places. Banning burning but still allowing processing factories to buy burnt cane is ridiculous. Ban burnt cane processing and the problem will disappear overnight.

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

On the school run this morning sugarcane burning was going on in several places. Banning burning but still allowing processing factories to buy burnt cane is ridiculous. Ban burnt cane processing and the problem will disappear overnight.

 

They can't challenge the sugar mills they are far too powerful.

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Key areas reporting the highest PM2.5 levels include Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Nonthaburi, Saraburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

 

Why isn't Bangkok on the list as they seem to be the loudest complainers on PM 2.5?

 

[Gottfrid]

This only repeat itself year after year. When it´s already too late, they issue a seemingly temporary ban, that only last for one season. They need to make a law, that forbids burning of all from garbage in the garden to sugar cane fields. After that, they need to enforce this with heavy fines and possible jail time for the offenders. Needless to say, that will never happen!

[sungod]

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

Best would be to use military Forces

 Agreed, they need to invade Cambodia.

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

noting that of the THB 620 million earmarked for 1,800 sites in 14 provinces, only 90 sites have received funding.

 

Hmm. I wonder where the rest of the money went?

[UWEB]

23 minutes ago, sungod said:

 Agreed, they need to invade Cambodia.

 

 

Better to clean at first your own House before you start complaining about your neighbor.

[lordgrinz]

AQI is at 188 right now near the Bangkok Immigration office, mission failing.

[sungod]

12 minutes ago, UWEB said:

Better to clean at first your own House before you start complaining about your neighbor.

 

So that mass of red in Cambodia close to the Thai border is having no effect on the air we breath then?

 

[UWEB]

6 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

So that mass of red in Cambodia close to the Thai border is having no effect on the air we breath then?

 

Off course it is affecting the Air in Thailand, but at first stop the burning in Thailand what is much more easier than dealing with another Country.