Around Thailand today, Phuket is one of the only provinces with clear air quality. The South, as well as Bangkok and parts of the north-east, are suffering from poor air quality, rating ‘unhealthy’ in many zones, according to iqair.com. Phuket’s air quality monitoring stations are all ‘good’ today except for the one in the Viset area…
Meanwhile, Bangkok has been shrouded in poor air quality and causing concern for residents as officials try and explain the unseasonal air pollution.
Yesterday morning, the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the atmosphere surpassed safety standards in 22 regions of the Capital.
The Air Quality Information Centre reported that eight areas witnessed an improvement in air quality during the morning. However, a concerning 14 areas still recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding safe limits.
The affected areas grappling with heightened PM2.5 levels include Wang Thong Lang, Pathumwan, Bang Rak, Yan Nawa, Lat Krabang, Khlong San, Bangkok Noi, Sathorn, Khlong Toei, Bueng Kum, Bangkok Yai, Bang Na, Prawet and Serithai Park in Bueng Kum.
The persistent problem of PM2.5 pollution, primarily triggered by forest and plantation fire smoke, especially from neighbouring countries, as well as emissions from vehicles and industrial sources, tends to intensify during the cold season and extends into the dry summer period, characterised by scarce rainfall. The ‘cold season’ usually starts in December in central Thailand.
Southern Thailand and parts of Malaysia are suffering smoke from Indonesian forest fires, mostly deliberately lit, blowing smoke across the Malacca Strait.
