Pollution

[catzonly]

I was just wondering... how bad is pollution in Thailand...

My son has a "bad" chest - he gets colds and flu, bronchitis very easily. Before we moved to Aus, his paediatrician told us he was developing asthma, but it seems to have gotten better here in Aus... we live on the far outskirts of Melbourne - so the only pollution is if there is a fire somewhere.

I am very concerned about this factor - and didnt think of this before... this will be vital in deciding whether or not i shall move to Thailand... no point moving and having a constantly sick child!!!

Any input appreciated

Thank you

[PhilHarries]

It depends on where in Thailand you intend to live.

[catzonly]

Between Bangkok and Pattaya somewhere.... (LOL I know... its a biiiiiiig piece of land), but we havent yet pinned it down to somewhere specific.

Hubby will be at Amata, so somewhere within a 40 - 50km radius either side???

[PhilHarries]

Anywhere on the coast you should be okay but be careful around Sriracha as there are two oil refineries there plus a couple of small power plants. Pollution isn't bad there for most people but if your son is tending towards asthmatic it would be best avoided. But even if you go inland a way there's not too much air pollution, not like Map Ta Phut.

[aussiebebe]

How bad is pollution in Thailand? Well, although Thailand is referred to as a third-world country, leaded fuel is banned here (unlike some other countries) and the air is better than it was, say, ten years ago. Vehicle pollution is visible from almost every bus, coach, truck and most pick-ups - black plumes of unburnt diesel are visible due to poorly maintained engines. In contrast, the use of LPG and NGV is getting more widespread, even on lorries and trucks while modern cars can use ethanol-blended fuels such as E85 and Gasohol which have lower harmful emissions.

Although Thai society is fiercely class-based, the trend which cuts across all socio-economic divides is the ingrained desire to spend more on transport than accomodation; Thais love to 'show' their wealth and prove this by 'buying' cars, usually through inordinately long finance arrangements. Almost every 1,500baht-per-month studio condo building will have at least a few BMWs or Mercedes parked outside. Most larger homes will boast a couple of European cars, which led their owners to pay more in tax to the government than the cars were ever worth even when they were new (200%+ import tax).

The downside to this is that older cars are poorly maintained, so cause more harmful emissions. On the plus side, with Thai's continuing to buy new cars in record numbers, modern cars have the lowest emissions. Thais LOVE the red delivery plates - they are like tickets to social-status-nirvana - and an estimated 2,000,000 orders will be taken in Thailand over the New Year period (source: Bangkok Post)

Pollutants from vehicles have been show to concentrate within 150-300 meters of roads, they are dramatically lower further away than this; so if the OP lives with his family away from a road, vehicular emissions shouldn't trigger undue attacks so much. Diito for proximity to factories - I think the boy will be fine.

Edited December 4, 2009 by aussiebebe

[chiang mai]

Chose your location very carefully, personally I would strongly advise against some of the northern cities during the early part of the year during the burning season.

[mommysboy]

Chose your location very carefully, personally I would strongly advise against some of the northern cities during the early part of the year during the burning season.

It's a very open question as not all parts of Thailand are the same, and for that matter smog is present in most towns throughout the world and it's effects generally unknown in the long term.

I have lived in Bangkok for around 5 years. I suffered no definite problem in Blighty (Bournemouth) save for being bunged up on foggy days and at various other times, but when I came to Bangkok I suffered marked problems mainly due to nasal congestion caused by traffic pollution in the main. For others it's the weather, or the heat, or the dust, or the air con, or the fungus, or a mixture. Whatever problem anyone has in the west, double it I'd say, and I would not recommend coming at all to any urban location in Thailand if they already suffer in the west.

As to the direct effects of pollution, well the most obvious is a runny nose, and then cough, asthma, and I think stomach upset (I think). Long term? yes I know first hand of marketeers in Bangkok who have died very early from lung cancer even though one did not smoke at all, and some families have a similar story.

[mommysboy]

How bad is pollution in Thailand? Well, although Thailand is referred to as a third-world country, leaded fuel is banned here (unlike some other countries) and the air is better than it was, say, ten years ago. Vehicle pollution is visible from almost every bus, coach, truck and most pick-ups - black plumes of unburnt diesel are visible due to poorly maintained engines. In contrast, the use of LPG and NGV is getting more widespread, even on lorries and trucks while modern cars can use ethanol-blended fuels such as E85 and Gasohol which have lower harmful emissions.

Although Thai society is fiercely class-based, the trend which cuts across all socio-economic divides is the ingrained desire to spend more on transport than accomodation; Thais love to 'show' their wealth and prove this by 'buying' cars, usually through inordinately long finance arrangements. Almost every 1,500baht-per-month studio condo building will have at least a few BMWs or Mercedes parked outside. Most larger homes will boast a couple of European cars, which led their owners to pay more in tax to the government than the cars were ever worth even when they were new (200%+ import tax).

The downside to this is that older cars are poorly maintained, so cause more harmful emissions. On the plus side, with Thai's continuing to buy new cars in record numbers, modern cars have the lowest emissions. Thais LOVE the red delivery plates - they are like tickets to social-status-nirvana - and an estimated 2,000,000 orders will be taken in Thailand over the New Year period (source: Bangkok Post)

Pollutants from vehicles have been show to concentrate within 150-300 meters of roads, they are dramatically lower further away than this; so if the OP lives with his family away from a road, vehicular emissions shouldn't trigger undue attacks so much. Diito for proximity to factories - I think the boy will be fine.

It does depend on location within Thailand, but in the main this is truly misleading posting in my belief! I'll try recanting these facts and figures to my nasal passages as yet anothe tuk tuk, pepper gas barbecue, polar air con unit, searing hot bus engine, etc, etc, wages scorched earth policy against my mucus membranes.

Get real will you!

[ballzafire]

Chose your location very carefully, personally I would strongly advise against some of the northern cities during the early part of the year during the burning season.

Seconded.

[lopburi3]

Another serious concern is lack of enforcement; even where there are laws. You may have a residential home and a factory can be set up in the next home using any number of chemicals and it is unlikely to case any concern or be regulated. Open disposal is done everywhere. And people are paying the price. Our daughter-in-law has lung cancer and probably only months to live, her next older sister has an estimated month to live; the next older has already died (as well as parents). None were smokers or worked in a polluted area. But all did grow up living next to a chemical using shophouse. There may not be a connection - but this routine happens often here and no investigation will ever be made or questions asked.

As mentioned above open burning, of everything, is the norm here. Upcountry it is the only way to dispose of garbage and it does not matter what it is - it gets burnt. The obvious pollution is during the field and woods burning but it is a serious factor every day of the year. As every home will be burning that days refuse.

[julie_f]

I live on the outskirts of Bangkok and the pollution here isn't too bad. My asthma is well controlled with inhalers and I rarely have any problems. I do feel my chest getting tight though when I go to the centre of Bangkok, much more pollution.

I used to suffer most in the Uk when it was cold and dry so it actually seems better here. Very moist and always warm. If your son is developing asthma (the doctors actually said I kept having broncitus before I had a full blown attack) make sure he gets the right medication. With the correct medication he shouldn't have any problems.

I would avoid cities and the major roads. Look at schools too as that is where he will spend most of his time.