Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Bangkok authorities are developing a nationwide alert system for PM2.5 fine dust pollution amid worsening air quality reaching the “orange” level since the cool season began. The Pollution Control Department (PCD), along with other agencies, is working quickly to implement this system with the help of telecom operator Advanced Info Service (AIS). The aim is to provide the public with timely and accurate air quality updates directly to their mobile phones.

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment stated that the PCD will lead in monitoring and reporting PM2.5 levels across Thailand. This data will be sent to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which will then issue alerts to affected residents using the cell broadcast system. Importantly, this will not require users to download any additional applications on their devices.

 

These alerts will cover three main aspects: the current PM2.5 levels and severity, forecasts and trends for affected areas, and health advice for minimizing exposure. The situation in Bangkok has been deteriorating, with three districts already seeing PM2.5 concentrations at levels that could affect health.

 

The increase in fine dust pollution in Bangkok can be attributed to several factors, such as vehicle emissions and open burning activities. Agricultural burning, waste burning, and forest fires are significant contributors to the rising pollution levels.

 

As Bangkok grapples with this environmental challenge, experts emphasize the need for rapid dissemination of information to protect public health. The new alert system is expected to play a crucial role in keeping residents informed and safe.

 

Looking ahead, the development and implementation of the alert system are priorities for the PCD and AIS. This collaboration aims to mitigate health risks by ensuring that citizens are well-informed about air quality conditions and can take appropriate preventive measures., reported Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

• Bangkok's air quality reaches critical levels, prompting action.
• A real-time alert system is being developed by PCD and AIS.
• The system aims to inform and protect public health quickly.

 

Related Stories:

Thailand Faces Worsening Air Pollution : PM2 .5 Levels Alarmingly High

Thailand Faces Severe Air Pollution Crisis as PM2 .5 Levels Soar

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-11-13

 

 

Better to have an 'All Clear, healthy air' system, as it won't be as taxing on the resources.   Not nearly as many 'alerts' needed  😷

So we get an alert , then what ?

Mask up and airpuryfier ?

Same as it always was.

No thanks.  I don't want my phone constantly alerting me.  I use the IQAir app, called AirVisual, and check it almost daily.  It lets me create a list of cities I can quickly check.  Bangkok and Pattaya were really bad earlier today.  Near 150.  There will be many more days like this for the next 5 months, progressively getting worse (ie. more triple digit days and lasting longer) peaking around late Jan to late Feb.  I knew it was high when I looked out the window this morning.

14 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Better to have an 'All Clear, healthy air' system, as it won't be as taxing on the resources.   Not nearly as many 'alerts' needed  😷

I was thinking along the same lines, just a "safe to go out today alert" 

I just look out the window.

No need for alert, NEED to FIX 

We don't need them wasting money on alerts.  We need them wasting money on bigger water cannons.

Cities like Bangkok just need more of this air purifier. Remember?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si2vy_qX4pU

(I cannot display the video itself)

Video titled "Giant air purifier installed in central Bangkok to improve air quality" (6 years ago)

 

Deep underground, somewhere in Bangkok.

"Well, it seems we can't stop people being poisoned gentlemen. All efforts to persuade companies to end burning in fields have failed. We don't have a rail system to tempt people to leave their vehicles at home. What can we do now?"

"We can alert them that they will be poisoned."

"Excellent idea!"

What they should be doing is banning gas cars from certain areas on certain days. In addtion to improving air quality it will also reduce congestion.  The transit system is good enough that people do not need their own transportation to get to most areas, which is kind of the whole point.

That's the symptoms dealt with but what about the causes?

Looking on the bright side...

PM2.5 is much worse in India and eastern China (the populated part).

5 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

Looking on the bright side...

PM2.5 is much worse in India and eastern China (the populated part).

On average yes, but lots of days just as bad in Thailand during dry season.  Some days it's the the worst in the world.  It's a SE Asia problem.  Not just a Thailand problem.  A lot of it comes from Mynamar and that's not changing anytime soon since they are too busy fighting a civil war.

21 minutes ago, shdmn said:

On average yes, but lots of days just as bad in Thailand during dry season.  Some days it's the the worst in the world.  It's a SE Asia problem.  Not just a Thailand problem.  A lot of it comes from Mynamar and that's not changing anytime soon since they are too busy fighting a civil war.

I appreciate it can get really bad here, and some places are typically affected worse than others, e.g. Bangkok, Chang Mai and Udon Thani.

During the dry season, the wind is predominantly from the northeast, as today's chart shown below shows, so Myanmar's pollution shouldn't affect most of Thailand.

I already have a DEW line. It's called Lungs & Eyes.

...Didn't The Previous 'Government' Allocate Several Billion To Address The Problem...(?)

...Anyone Know Where Those Funds Went... (?)

 

...Now...Rather Than Pretend Anything Is Being Done About The Problem...They Will Spend More Money...Simply To Inform You When Your Health Is Seriously At Risk... (?)

 

 

2 hours ago, IsaanT said:

I appreciate it can get really bad here, and some places are typically affected worse than others, e.g. Bangkok, Chang Mai and Udon Thani.

During the dry season, the wind is predominantly from the northeast, as today's chart shown below shows, so Myanmar's pollution shouldn't affect most of Thailand.

Doesn't just come from Mynamar.  Lots of it comes from Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia.  Lots of burning still going on in Thailand as well.  Even though it's supposedly illegal in Thailand, enforcement seems to be almost non-existent.  

23 hours ago, shdmn said:

Some days it's the the worst in the world.  It's a SE Asia problem.  Not just a Thailand problem.  A lot of it comes from Mynamar

No.  The real dirt comes from China.  The winds are now blowing from the North.  Pretty soon, we will see the result of that when all the Chinese garbage blankets SE Asia.