File photo for reference only

 

Suffocating levels of smog have enveloped 59 provinces across Thailand, with Greater Bangkok experiencing severe air quality issues, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda). On Tuesday morning, ultrafine dust particles, specifically PM2.5, skyrocketed to dangerously high levels, significantly surpassing the government’s safety threshold of 37.5µg/m³.

Gistda reported that the highest PM2.5 level was found in Samut Sakhon, recording 85.7µg/m³. This region, along with eight others including Bangkok, faced red-level warning conditions with measures ranging from 75.5 to 85.7µg/m³. Meanwhile, 51 provinces experienced orange levels of pollution, starting to pose health risks as concentrations varied between 38.1 and 74.4µg/m³.

Among the areas grappling with concerning orange levels were Saraburi, Khon Kaen, and Ratchaburi. In some regions, air quality remained moderate with PM2.5 levels reported between 26.1 and 35.5µg/m³. On a brighter note, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Krabi enjoyed relatively good air quality, while Mae Hong Son could boast very good conditions with only 12.1µg/m³ of PM2.5, reported the Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• 59 provinces plagued by high PM2.5 levels, endangering health.

• Severe red-level smog chokes Greater Bangkok, exceeding safe limits.

• Northern Mae Hong Son enjoys the best air quality nationwide.

Related Story:

Bangkok Grapples with Alarming Air Pollution Levels

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-13

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

On Tuesday morning, ultrafine dust particles, specifically PM2.5, skyrocketed to dangerously high levels, significantly surpassing the government’s safety threshold of 37.5µg/m³.

37.5ug/cubic meter is already well above the "Good" level in most civilized countries.

Happily we have Liza.... so no worries

If it is that big a health problem just move out of Bangkok. Would be interesting to see the figures for people moving out V people moving in.

But then again they could knock down most of the city and plant trees.

They never say why this is happening... just some lame report about how much pollution you will inhale. How about doing something about the cause and reeling in the crop burning and other BS? No... didn't think so.

I think that so far at least, in Jomtien, it’s not been as bad as in previous years, not that that’s a very high bar to clear! I could (just) see Koh Larn for the whole time today. In past years, there have been days when it’s been invisible.

A few days ago, on one day, the AQI in my home town in Australia, due to its proximity to massive bushfires in Victoria, was almost as bad as in Jomtien, . Mind you, that particular day in Jomtien was just an average air quality day in the burning season.

Go to Mae Hong Son.

Is there anywhere in Thailand that has decent air all year round?

14 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

If it is that big a health problem just move out of Bangkok. Would be interesting to see the figures for people moving out V people moving in.

But then again they could knock down most of the city and plant trees.

It affects pretty much the whole of Thailand (and Asia) not just Bangkok.

It's bad again this morning in Jomtien.

5 hours ago, Puccini said:

Go to Mae Hong Son.

Please keep in mind that every reading is very temporary. Mae Hong Son is often in deep red zone.

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Mae Hong Son

we should move to Mae Hong Son then?

37 minutes ago, johng said:

It's bad again this morning in Jomtien.

I spoke too soon, have jinxed us. Koh Larn totally invisible from Jomtien this morning.

Thailand - smog hub.

3 hours ago, AlexRich said:

Is there anywhere in Thailand that has decent air all year round?

AQI < 50 or PM2.5 < 10-15  µg/m³ .... NO

And MHS ... last time there, smog was so bad, they closed the airport, as the vis was so low, it was too dangerous to try to land.

Better days ...

MHS now

6 hours ago, Puccini said:

Go to Mae Hong Son.

That's funny ... now

https://www.aqi.in/air-quality-map?map_type=aqi&loc_slug=thailand%2Fmae-hong-son%2Fmueang-mae-hong-son-district

Jomtien filth. Windows shut air purifier on. I can remember when Prayuth was going to fix it in 2 weeks. It's the most blatant reminder of the endemic societal corruption and educational ignorance. Without democracy,justice and rule of law it wil never be fixed like we did in the west. In the 1950s the London smogs were in the range of many thousands and many thousands died. We now have ULEZ - Long Live the Mayor !

It's even bad here, Muang, PKK, although always low single digits, < 5, in the house, unless I'm burning toast or something on the stove

Local meter ...

I've only been in Thailand (Bangkok) for three years. Is the pollution worse now compared to say five or ten years ago?

To me, it seems to get worse each year.

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It affects pretty much the whole of Thailand (and Asia) not just Bangkok.

Not in my neck of the woods.

For the first time I received an informational alert this morning (in Bangkok)......

25 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Not in my neck of the woods.

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/thailand/phetchabun/khao-kho

https://www.aqi.in/dashboard/thailand/phetchabun/phetchabun/khao-kho-hospital

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/air-quality-map?zoomLevel=10&lat=16.65791&lng=101.02208

2 hours ago, msbkk said:

Please keep in mind that every reading is very temporary. Mae Hong Son is often in deep red zone.

Anyone who actually lives there would know this.

I sealed my hotel room door in Najomtien with tape and as long as there is no wind stay inside.

I have a air purifier with me and keep the PM 2.5 level at around 5 vs. 55 outside...

In this day and age, Yellow in "Normal". I look outside and can see the mountains clearly. I don't consider the air bad until those mountains begin to disappear in the haze.

Nice! 😢

Pak Kret

I use Hatari Purifier since I can very easily for a few Baht apply a PM 2.5 filter sheet by myself (and a reliable PM 2.5 meter is included)...

24 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

How good are the XAP (Xiaomi Air Purifier) .... EXCELLENT

In the house now, just two XAP on, and the 2 air purifying ACs are off. Area of 100m², two rooms with door open between them. Starting to warm up outside (28C), so time time to run the ACs.

I wonder how many are protecting themselves and their family/beloved ones?

35 minutes ago, connda said:

In this day and age, Yellow in "Normal". I look outside and can see the mountains clearly. I don't consider the air bad until those mountains begin to disappear in the haze.

Nothing normal about AQI > 50 PM2.5 > 10

TH is 3rd world, with many modern things, and clean air, isn't one of them.