File photo for reference only

 

In a bold move to tackle its chronic smog problem, Bangkok is set to be designated a "special pollution control zone" from November to March, as announced by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. This unprecedented decision, endorsed by the National Environment Board (NEB), empowers the city with stronger legal authority to implement stricter pollution standards than those currently enforced nationwide.

 

Governor Chadchart, speaking after a meeting at City Hall, emphasised the significance of this initiative. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) now has the ability to enforce tighter regulations, such as reducing the permissible smoke opacity from 30% nationally to 20% or even 10% within the city. This move is expected to enhance enforcement effectively.

 

Despite concerns, the governor assured that these measures would not harm the economy. Citing academic research, he noted that lowering PM2.5 concentrations by just one microgramme per cubic metre could generate tens of billions of baht in economic value, approximately the equivalent of 10 billion to 20 billion Thai Baht.

 

Bangkok's efforts don't stop there. Talks with the Industry Ministry are progressing to mandate continuous emission monitoring (CEM) systems in factories. Currently, only a handful of facilities in the capital have CEM, but the aim is to expand this requirement to over 200, allowing for real-time emissions monitoring.

 

Addressing external factors, the city plans to collaborate with provincial governors to reduce crop burning, which contributes to smoke drifting into Bangkok. Assistance such as straw compressors will be offered to farmers to find alternatives to burning.

 

The city also plans to expand its "low-emission zone" scheme. Previously, restrictions were placed on six-wheel trucks during high-smog days. This year, the ban extends across the city, allowing only "Green List" compliant vehicles. Non-compliant trucks will face fines, with more than 400 cases already processed last year.

 

In efforts to build long-term strategies, City Hall, in partnership with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, is equipping every school and childcare centre with "dust-free classrooms." Additionally, Bangkok has enhanced its early warning system from three to seven days, installing over 800 new small sensors.

 

Governor Chadchart emphasised that the goal is not punitive but focused on encouraging vehicle drivers to minimise emissions. Chinese experts have even contributed equipment to Kasetsart University to help identify pollution sources more accurately.

 

The pollution control initiative extends beyond Bangkok. The NEB has also designated Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, and Mae Hong Son as pollution control zones, addressing seasonal haze issues during peak months.

 

Finally, the BMA has tasked district offices with enforcing stricter nuisance control measures under the Public Health Act, further solidifying its commitment to cleaner air.

 

Governor Chadchart's announcement marks a pivotal step in Bangkok's fight against pollution, signalling a long-term commitment to improving air quality and public health.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-10

 

 

Yea, dream on    😎

 

So basically...........some of the really smoky lorries have to stay slightly further away from the centre........

Stop the annual country wide burning of the fields and forests..its a "simple" as that..the other pollution is a drop in the ocean compared to that. 

8 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

So basically...........some of the really smoky lorries have to stay slightly further away from the centre........

 

Nah... It'll just cost the companies little more for this sticker... 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1352839-thailand-doubles-down-on-dirty-diesel-trucks-buses-inspected/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311702-police-chief-says-won’t-tolerate-truck-sticker-bribery/

 

 

 

too funny ... guessing they missed a few 

 

... "Non-compliant trucks will face fines, with more than 400 cases already processed last year"

 

So a new way to collect taxes and or 'tea money'.  No matter, a good thing, and a move in right direction.  A work in progress.   Now if they'd ban all ICEV, or at least diesels from the city, then real progress could be made 

 

At least on the low, street level pollution.  Then standing on the corner waiting for the signal to walk across the intersection, wouldn't be so nauseating and noisy. 

31 minutes ago, johng said:

Stop the annual country wide burning of the fields and forests..its a "simple" as that..the other pollution is a drop in the ocean compared to that. 

No it's not. Bangkok generates it's own massive amounts of pollution and during these months temperature inversions occur trapping it in. 

17 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Bangkok generates it's own massive amounts of pollution

Its a drop in the ocean compared to the burning of fields and forests.

BKK skies go brown before burning season starts. 

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

BKK skies go brown

So do the skies "up north"   due to the burning  , granted the temperature inversions are a big problem too but there isn't much we can do about them.

10 minutes ago, johng said:

So do the skies "up north"   due to the burning  , granted the temperature inversions are a big problem too but there isn't much we can do about them.

Why did you only quote part of my post. This changes what I said. I said the sky goes brown BEFORE the burning starts.

Just now, dinsdale said:

Why did you only quote part of my post.

Quoting for brevity  there is no need to quote the whole thing again and again and again.

I agreed with you that the temperature inversion is a problem..but as we can do nothing about that   lets focus on the biggest problem which is the annual burning or the fields  and forests  not just in Thailand but surrounding countries too.

17 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

 

 

Yeah there is no burning,  temperature inversions  and its raining season.  👍

Just now, johng said:

Quoting for brevity  there is no need to quote the whole thing

 

26 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

BKK skies go brown before burning season starts.

Your edited quote of my post was "BKK skies go brown".

You have deliberately altered the meaning and context of my post. This as you are well aware is against forum rules.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

 

Your edited quote of my post was "BKK skies go brown".

You have deliberately altered the meaning and context of my post. This as you are well aware is against forum rules.

No I did not alter the meaning at all !   just quoted for brevity...there is no need to quote the whole post  as that gets very tedious  quoting the whole chapter and verse  just to add a small comment...I disagree with what I think you are suggesting  that vehicle pollution is the main cause of Bangkok's  terrible pollution..yes it exists and a temperature inversion can make it bad  but the burning is much worse IMHO  we can do nothing about the temperature inversions but can "crack down" on the burning ..I would also crack down on black smoke belching vehicles..public transport being a big culprit in that regard.

12 hours ago, johng said:

No I did not alter the meaning at all !   just quoted for brevity...there is no need to quote the whole post  as that gets very tedious  quoting the whole chapter and verse  just to add a small comment...I disagree with what I think you are suggesting  that vehicle pollution is the main cause of Bangkok's  terrible pollution..yes it exists and a temperature inversion can make it bad  but the burning is much worse IMHO  we can do nothing about the temperature inversions but can "crack down" on the burning ..I would also crack down on black smoke belching vehicles..public transport being a big culprit in that regard.

What does 'temperature inversions' mean please?

Anyone ever see the TV show under the dome? 

 

Remember when they put the pm2.5 filters outside a shopping mall in bkk. This comes to mind......

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TViEzHJrMcM&pp=ygUXZHVtYiBhbmQgZHVtYmVyIHNjb290ZXI%3D

Special pollution control zone...

Get out the water cannons!!

Special pollution control zone...

Get out the water cannons!!

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a bold move to tackle its chronic smog problem, Bangkok is set to be designated a "special pollution control zone" from November to March, as announced by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. This unprecedented decision, endorsed by the National Environment Board (NEB), empowers the city with stronger legal authority to implement stricter pollution standards than those currently enforced nationwide.

Still in the dark ages.

Thailand only has to look at what other countries/cities did to control pollution.  There are 100s of examples for them to copy.  All it takes is the will to do it.  The faster they start process the better.

16 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

So basically...........some of the really smoky lorries have to stay slightly further away from the centre........

 

What about some of the buses, pick-ups and even old cars bellowing out black smoke?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Citing academic research, he noted that lowering PM2.5 concentrations by just one microgramme per cubic metre could generate tens of billions of baht in economic value, approximately the equivalent of 10 billion to 20 billion Thai Baht.

Really ? 

Let me see the math on that.

And the budget for this is.......already stolen.🙃🙃

Bangkok could be Vienna, it makes no difference when farmers across the north, northeast, Cambodia and Vietnam are burning their fields and the air currents carry it to central Thailand. 

 

Cambodia will probably burn more this year just to annoy their neighbours across the border.

My heart sinks on my monthly flights from China to BKK.  I can often (not always, obviously) take great ground photos from 36,000 feet in China, but rarely see the ground clearly from over 5,000' in Thailand (with Laos and Cambodia being just as bad)

 

I'm stunned that they allow a single farm to pollute hundreds of square miles of the air.  And on a typical flight, I lose count after about 100-150 such fires. 

 

Then, to add insult to injury, many of the farms aren't even profitable.  They have to borrow so much money all year for seed and fertilizer that they're just cycling money for the benefit of a few wealthy families.

 

I'm all in favor of controlling urban air pollution, but that's not enough.  The biggest culprits are agricultural.

So, no more garden hoses sprayed from rooftops as we saw during the reign of the junta.

Governor Chadchart has been good to his word on so many infrastructure and environmental improvements, and I expect progress to be made here as well on this recalcitrant problem.

Such leadership, is very much both needed, and lacking, at the national level.

1 hour ago, Lucky Bones said:

And the budget for this is.......already stolen.🙃🙃

 

But the perp is in jail at the moment,  but no photos so far.

What a joke; the "culprits" are certainly not in Bangkok. EDUCATE the farmers on what to do with their sugar cane and corn fields after the harvest and since the latter grows much, much better upcountry ............ 

Upcountry People die by the hundreds (if not more) every year on respiratory issues directly related to the smog. The smog in Bangkok is equally homemade and if I see those city buses belching their black clouds to the sheer enlightenment of following motorbike messengers I know, that - again - the best you can expect here in the Land of Funnies is ........ dripping lip services.