Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Bangkok aims to reduce air pollution during its annual haze season through measures targeting vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, according to the city’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. At the "Green List Plus" campaign launch, Sittipunt expressed hopes for improved air quality this year, as Bangkok implements a range of initiatives to better manage PM2.5 dust particles. The measures include regulations on large vehicles and a campaign to clean car engines, which are supported by automobile manufacturers.

 

In response to Bangkok being designated a pollution control zone, the city has introduced 10 measures focused on the transport sector. Key among these is restricting the entry of six-wheel vehicles into all districts unless they meet the "Green List" criteria. Additionally, Bangkok has partnered with automakers to offer discounts on engine cleaning, with expectations that about 500,000 vehicles will participate. The city has also reduced the allowable level of black smoke emissions from diesel vehicles and is requiring industrial boiler plants to install pollutant monitoring devices.

 

Bangkok seeks collaboration from nearby provinces to address agricultural burning, a significant contributor to air pollution, especially in paddy and sugar cane fields. The city may also reinstate a work-from-home policy, as seen last year when traffic decreased by 14%. Further measures include setting up 1,966 anti-dust rooms for children, half of which are already completed.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Suchart Chomklin plans to engage with governors from five neighboring provinces to tackle farmland burning. Local administrative bodies are encouraged to assist farmers in finding alternatives to open burning. The Bangkok governor assured residents of a potential 15% reduction in poor air quality days compared to last year's 44 days, emphasizing confidence in the newly implemented measures.

 

Key Takeaways

• Bangkok introduces measures to reduce PM2.5 and improve air quality.
• Restricting vehicle emissions and curbing farmland burning are priorities.
• City aims for a 15% decrease in days with poor air quality this year.

 

Related Stories

Thailand, Myanmar, Laos Tackle Haze with Hotline

Bangkok's Free Transport Plan Criticized Amid Haze Crisis

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-30

 

 

Do you ever get that feeling of deja-vu?

 

Do you ever get that feeling of deja-vu?

 

What was it last time, barbecue pork sellers, spraying molasses from drones, giant sucky-uppy things, magic?

 

They have decent regulations, what they need is decent and consistent enforcement!!

 

Yeah, that's happening

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Do you ever get that feeling of deja-vu?

 

Do you ever get that feeling of deja-vu?

 

What was it last time, barbecue pork sellers, spraying molasses from drones, magic?

 

 

Giant air-purification towers.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1762664/bma-to-test-air-purification-tower

3 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Giant air-purification towers.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1762664/bma-to-test-air-purification-tower

 

Crivens! Was it really that long ago!

 

We must be seeing these things all over town by now ...

Another year, another set of new pollution controls.

 

Same annual result - increased pollution?

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Bangkok aims to reduce air pollution during its annual haze season through measures targeting vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, according to the city’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. At the "Green List Plus" campaign launch, Sittipunt expressed hopes for improved air quality this year,

Bob Hope and No hope spring to mind, and Bob hope has left town

"Seeks collaboration..". Don't seek,  Enforce . 

      Weak efforts, at best, but, even so, should be done year-round.  But, much more is needed, including things like phasing out gas-powered motorcycles.

16 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Giant air-purification towers.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1762664/bma-to-test-air-purification-tower

Don't sugest that they might just fo it

 

 

16 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Giant air-purification towers.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1762664/bma-to-test-air-purification-tower

 

Will they be using water spraying drones again or the fire hoses spraying from roof tops.

Maybe this year try very large fans, at least they may help with all the hot air from the committee of no solutions

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

requiring industrial boiler plants to install pollutant monitoring devices.

 

Yeah, it's not just farmers causing this problem, and perhaps the government knows that.

OK, not that I would ever disbelieve any of their fairy tales, but let's have a look at the following can we?

1: Where and who is on the list of automakers offering discounted engine cleaning? (maybe his brother has a lock up?)

2: What criteria are they using regarding the "Black Smoke" from Diesels? How black, how much, how smelly?

3:Work from home policy? You mean Covid lockdown? That sounds like a good idea! Especially if you are employed by 7/11, Tesco, Big C, Makro, Rice Farming.....ahh, working from home only counts if you are a "special person"

4: 15% reduction in "POOR" air quality. Is that a double negative? I am sure that 15% filthier air will not be a problem.

 

Same old, same old, year after year, like automatons, they just open their mouths and a river of bilge erupts.

 

55 minutes ago, newnative said:

      Weak efforts, at best, but, even so, should be done year-round.  But, much more is needed, including things like phasing out gas-powered motorcycles.

They need to also check out the busses and get rid of the one that smoke.  Also they need police not just to patrol but to take pictures of polluting vehicles then set up 100k fines and pull themoff road

The problem facing the Thai government is that severely fining farmers, who are among the poorest people in the land, will negatively affect their re-election chances. Fine them 100,000 Baht and that's their income gone. Accept a 500 Baht bribe to vote for your local MP? I doubt that will hold water after losing all the money to buy food.

 

Farmers don't understand that burning fields after harvest is bad for the country due to their poor education. To them it's either burn or don't burn or starve (in their minds). Best idea is to teach them how to farm without burning fields and still make money.

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land. The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

 

This is an absolute travesty, and fall squarely on the tiny shoulders of the do nothing PM. They're absolute unwillingness to do anything about this situation is an abomination and the list of things that could be done to address this problem are countless.

 

They could start by pulling over diesel vehicles spewing out enormous clouds of black smoke, but that would require the highway patrol to actually do some work, which they utterly refuse to do.

 

They could then get the provincial authorities to crack down on the heinous crop burning that's going on with sugar and rice, which is being perpetrated by farmers who have zero regard for their country nor their neighbors. Crack down on them hard and set an example. For the first offense with a small fine, much larger fines for a second offense and massive fines for the third offense. Word would get around and Farmers would start using more environment mentally friendly techniques even though they required more work. 

 

If the central government is sincere, than the provincial authorities don't seem to care one iota, and even if they care they don't seem to be capable of policing the areas, and even if they were capable of placing the areas they don't seem to have the conviction to impose large enough fines to stop these farmers.

 

In essence these farmers are practicing a form of terrorism against their own people, they are killing people, they are putting people in the hospital, they are shortening lives, and they are making life miserable for a significant portion of the nation, simply because it's easier and less expensive to burn. The degree to which the smoke is toxic is unfathomable. it is the absolute epitome of self-absorption and zero concern for others. These farmers need to be punished in a very expensive and convincing manner. 

 

If the government cared one iota which they don't they would start convincing farmers to switch crops and start moving away from 16th century crops like rice and sugar, moving toward more progressive crops which are potentially more profitable. If they felt the need to stick with rice and sugar they could educate the public on how those crops can be processed without burning, and subsidize the purchase of the required equipment. 

 

2 hours ago, davb said:

 

Yeah, it's not just farmers causing this problem, and perhaps the government knows that.

Yes, it's not only rain that makes you wet. 

 

 

Well, people usually say...............I'm not holding my breath............but for once it is probably advisable.

Bangkok air pollution sources (approximate share of PM2.5):

• Traffic emissions: 50–60%

• Industrial activity: 20–25%

• Construction and road dust: 10–15%

• Agricultural and waste burning: 5–10%

• Domestic sources (cooking, small fires): <5%

Main culprits: diesel trucks, aging vehicles, industrial zones around Samut Prakan / Pathum Thani, constant construction dust, and seasonal burning.

Weather inversions trap it all — so the air stays bad even when emissions dip.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, rumeaug said:

"Seeks collaboration..". Don't seek,  Enforce . 

And why not ALL of Thailand when it comes to burning crop. THAT is the reason for air pollution in Thailand.

Rice is a staple food of Thailand. Trying to stop them from growing and eating it is like stopping the British from eating chips or Indians from eating chapatis or Americans from eating burgers.

3 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Rice is a staple food of Thailand. Trying to stop them from growing and eating it is like stopping the British from eating chips or Indians from eating chapatis or Americans from eating burgers.

 

Rice stubble is only burned off by 'greedy' farmers trying to squeeze out more than one crop a year.

 

Where we live, they only harvest once a year and so never burn off the stubble.

 

No idea why I thought to mention that fact.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land. The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

 

This is an absolute travesty, and fall squarely on the tiny shoulders of the do nothing PM. They're absolute unwillingness to do anything about this situation is an abomination and the list of things that could be done to address this problem are countless.

 

They could start by pulling over diesel vehicles spewing out enormous clouds of black smoke, but that would require the highway patrol to actually do some work, which they utterly refuse to do.

 

They could then get the provincial authorities to crack down on the heinous crop burning that's going on with sugar and rice, which is being perpetrated by farmers who have zero regard for their country nor their neighbors. Crack down on them hard and set an example. For the first offense with a small fine, much larger fines for a second offense and massive fines for the third offense. Word would get around and Farmers would start using more environment mentally friendly techniques even though they required more work. 

 

If the central government is sincere, than the provincial authorities don't seem to care one iota, and even if they care they don't seem to be capable of policing the areas, and even if they were capable of placing the areas they don't seem to have the conviction to impose large enough fines to stop these farmers.

 

In essence these farmers are practicing a form of terrorism against their own people, they are killing people, they are putting people in the hospital, they are shortening lives, and they are making life miserable for a significant portion of the nation, simply because it's easier and less expensive to burn. The degree to which the smoke is toxic is unfathomable. it is the absolute epitome of self-absorption and zero concern for others. These farmers need to be punished in a very expensive and convincing manner. 

 

If the government cared one iota which they don't they would start convincing farmers to switch crops and start moving away from 16th century crops like rice and sugar, moving toward more progressive crops which are potentially more profitable. If they felt the need to stick with rice and sugar they could educate the public on how those crops can be processed without burning, and subsidize the purchase of the required equipment. 

 

What a load of nonsense, typical of the entitled westerner.

I've worked in the sugar industry for over 30 years. You know nothing.

On 10/31/2025 at 11:49 AM, Purdey said:

Farmers don't understand that burning fields after harvest is bad for the country due to their poor education. To them it's either burn or don't burn or starve (in their minds). Best idea is to teach them how to farm without burning fields and still make money.

Nonsense! Farmers may be peasants but they're not stupid! The smoke & black soot get to them first.

On 10/31/2025 at 1:24 PM, Captor said:

And why not ALL of Thailand when it comes to burning crop. THAT is the reason for air pollution in Thailand.

Right. Chiang Mai doesn't have nearly the numbers of vehicles Bangkok has. Umm, crop burning, ya think?

On 10/31/2025 at 1:16 PM, LosLobo said:

Bangkok air pollution sources (approximate share of PM2.5):

• Traffic emissions: 50–60%

• Industrial activity: 20–25%

• Construction and road dust: 10–15%

• Agricultural and waste burning: 5–10%

• Domestic sources (cooking, small fires): <5%

Main culprits: diesel trucks, aging vehicles, industrial zones around Samut Prakan / Pathum Thani, constant construction dust, and seasonal burning.

Weather inversions trap it all — so the air stays bad even when emissions dip.

Not sure of the point you're trying to make. But vehicles, not just dirty vehicles, are a huge component of the pollution. But Bangkok does nothing to restrict vehicles. Such as, lorries restrict from city core--Samut Prakan to Pathum Thani--except midnight to 6am. Construction trucks generate a lot of the pollution.

 

Cars. No single passenger vehicles. Must have at least two people in the car. Construction of park-and-rides.

 

I'd like to know more about what kinds of industrial pollution generates 2.5. Target polluting industries with giant fines for non-compliance.

 

Ain't gonna happen because pols got no takraws.

So let's get serious!

52 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Not sure of the point you're trying to make. But vehicles, not just dirty vehicles, are a huge component of the pollution. But Bangkok does nothing to restrict vehicles. Such as, lorries restrict from city core--Samut Prakan to Pathum Thani--except midnight to 6am. Construction trucks generate a lot of the pollution.

 

Cars. No single passenger vehicles. Must have at least two people in the car. Construction of park-and-rides.

 

I'd like to know more about what kinds of industrial pollution generates 2.5. Target polluting industries with giant fines for non-compliance.

 

Ain't gonna happen because pols got no takraws.

My point was that many here were thinking as I used to — that crop burn-off was the major problem, which is a common misconception.
 

You’re actually reinforcing my point — traffic still tops the PM2.5 chart by a wide margin.

Industrial zones add their share, sure, but Bangkok’s daily haze tracks diesel peaks, not factory shifts.

Private cars play a role too, but they’re a smaller slice compared to old diesel trucks and buses.
 

The main industrial sources of PM2.5 are from combustion — boilers, kilns, foundries, and power generation using heavy oil or coal. Cement, metal, and chemical plants also emit fine particulates if filters aren’t maintained. Enforcement and inspection frequency matter more than new fines.
 

Until the city enforces truck curfews and modern emissions checks, we’ll keep blaming “industry” while breathing exhaust.

On 10/31/2025 at 10:12 AM, davb said:

 

Yeah, it's not just farmers causing this problem, and perhaps the government knows that.

The problem in BKK is the big buildings and traffic.  With the big buildings as well as the BTS it holds the pollution in the area.  

 

The only real solution, other than putting fans on the streets, is to not only reduce traffic but also keep it moving.  

 

Outside of BKK, there is not much, if any, farmers lighting fires.  It is strictly a traffic issue.

 

Farmers are going to do what is the cheapest way of looking after their land, and fines are not the answer because most of them cannot afford to pay fines.   If there is a way to look after the land other than fire, then the government needs to provide that way to the farmers, either free or at a high (80%) discount

 

The other cause of pollution of course is the sidewalk food stalls that all Thais love.