Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust covered Bangkok and 58 of Thailand’s 76 provinces on Sunday afternoon, 5 April, with air quality reaching levels considered harmful to health. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported at 3pm that particulate matter (PM2.5) ranged from 38.2 to 96.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3), exceeding the government’s safe threshold of 37.5µg/m3. Ten provinces in the North and Northeast recorded red-level pollution, indicating conditions that are seriously harmful.

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The highest PM2.5 reading of 96.2µg/m3 was recorded in Chiang Rai. Other northern provinces with red levels included Phayao (92.1), Nan (85.8), Phrae (83.8), Lampang (83.5), Chiang Mai (81.7) and Mae Hong Son (78.6), while Bueng Kan (77.9) and Nong Khai (77.7) in the Northeast, and Uttaradit (75.7), also recorded severe pollution levels.

Bangkok and 48 provinces across the North, Northeast and Central Plain experienced orange-level pollution, indicating air quality that is starting to affect health. PM2.5 levels in these areas ranged from 38.2 to 73.3µg/m3, affecting provinces including Phichit, Lamphun, Loei, Sukhothai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chon Buri, among others.

By contrast, moderate air quality was recorded in five coastal provinces, with yellow-level readings: Chanthaburi (37.5), Prachuap Khiri Khan (36.6), Trat (36.2), Rayong (34) and Pattani (25.1). Thirteen southern provinces reported good air quality, with green-level PM2.5 readings ranging from 21.8 to 24.7µg/m3, including Phuket, Narathiwat, Krabi and Surat Thani.

The widespread smog reflects ongoing seasonal air pollution, often linked to agricultural burning, forest fires and weather conditions that trap pollutants. Authorities have continued to monitor air quality closely as levels fluctuate across regions.

Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to high PM2.5 levels can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, particularly among vulnerable groups. Residents in affected areas have been advised to limit outdoor activities and use protective measures where possible.

The Bangkokpost reported that conditions are expected to remain under close observation, with authorities likely to issue further advisories if pollution levels persist or worsen in the coming days.

Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 6 Apr 2026

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Yep , it is bad , but with all the war news and

oil price hikes, it is ignored again.

Moving to Teheran looks a lot healthier than northern Thailand.

I went to Nogbualamphu yesterday and my eyes were watering and stinging during the four hours I was there. Going a little futher north I saw that the mountains were covered in a thick blanket of fog.

My wife and her family are contemplating skipping the festivities this new years. I have never heard any Thai say that before. Kind of scary.

Usually in the central provinces and the South by this time of year the air starts to get much cleaner as the wind starts blowing in from the south. Does anybody have any idea why the air is still so dirty and funky looking?

Vulnerable groups include children, their lungs will be severely effected all their lives ,wake up Thailand its time to act

5 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

Vulnerable groups include children, their lungs will be severely effected all their lives ,wake up Thailand its time to act

5 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

Vulnerable groups include children, their lungs will be severely effected all their lives ,wake up Thailand its time to act

It is not the Thai government that creates the pollution, it is really the Thai people who cause this filth; they don't care at all. Year after year it gets worse. If the tourists stay away because of it, they start whining. Filthy people, garbage everywhere.

1 hour ago, Mr Janneman said:

It is not the Thai government that creates the pollution, it is really the Thai people who cause this filth; they don't care at all. Year after year it gets worse. If the tourists stay away because of it, they start whining. Filthy people, garbage everywhere.

But it is still the government who is responsible for solving the pollution problem! So far all previous governments have miserably failed! The revenue from increased tourism and the savings from decreased health costs would more than cover whatever the cost would be to solve the pollution problem.

Pm 2.5 figures seem low . Where I am was 221 last night at 11.30pm ☹️

I. Believe it’s already effecting the tourist trade as well as the number of ex pats who are trying to sell up so they can leave.

Comes down from the north as every year, but as it became unbearable, I stopped going to Hua Hin.

I’m sure the Thai authorities are ‘closely monitoring’ the situation, as they have assured us doing so every year for at least the last 25 years. But actually doing something about it, not so much. There’s no money in it for them, so they couldn’t care less.

Can lay this problem squarely at the door of farmers and land owners wanting to clear land as it's convenient timing... rather like when there is flooding the factories release all their toxic waste on the sly so no-one will notice.

Trouble is, the government is spineless and scared of all the village boys grabbing their pitchforks and turning up at the local district amphur office plus any rich elites involved... and may ultimately not care as the problem is too prickly to deal with, so just look the other way. Only way it'll change is they are hit in the pocket, like with most things.

Bad timing for Songkran?

I wonder if those quality tourists that TAT are targeting will like this?

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Usually in the central provinces and the South by this time of year the air starts to get much cleaner as the wind starts blowing in from the south. Does anybody have any idea why the air is still so dirty and funky looking?

A lot of new smoke keeps getting generated, I guess. Myanmar is really bad.

Thai women mostly don't smoke, but up north they get a lot of lung cancer.

https://substack.com/home/post/p-192951702

Good point.

Laos Myanmar Cambodia all have much more burning then there is currently in Thailand.

Sugar cane harvest is over since two weeks or so. No big burning in our area.

And look at Nong Khai on the Mekong border to Laos. Unlikely it's pollution comes from local fires.

Sorry quoting on the mobile is a complete mess...

6 minutes ago, davb said:

A lot of new smoke keeps getting generated, I guess. Myanmar is really bad

Just looked up the current winds and I may stand corrected.

It shows mainly southerly winds!

Now explain from where to where the dust is blown?

Southerly winds. Speeds in km/h.

Some winds blowing in from Myanmar.

Wast of Time !! this has happend for the last 20yrs i know of, and its the same Nothing changes the Thai goverment does Nothing !! so it will be the same posts next year

Thailand needs to outlaw burning of fields by farmers. The worst pollution is exactly where they’re doing this! I never saw anything like it. Either come up with another way to clear fields as they do in other countries or find another job!