Bangkok and six northern provinces to see air quality worsen over weekend

Bangkok and six northern provinces in Thailand are expected to see air quality worsen over the weekend, according to Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD).

The PCD reported yesterday that air quality across the country ranged from very good down to a health-threatening level at 11 am. The amount of PM2.5 dust particles in the atmosphere also exceeded the standard level in many areas nationwide:

• Ban Klang sub-district in Mueang district of Lamphun, 56 microns
• Phra Bat sub-district in Mueang district of Lampang, 62 microns
• Ban Tom sub-district in Mueang district of Phayao, 55 micronsBan Tarn sub-district in Hot district of Chiang Mai, 84 microns (microgram per cubic metre)
• Thanee sub-district in Mueang district of Sukhothai, 52 microns
• Lat Yai sub-district in Mueang district of Samut Songkhram, 55 microns
• Li sub-district in Li district of Lamphun, 66 microns
• Mae Pa sub-district in Mae Sot district of Tak, 57 microns
• According to the AirVisual application, air quality in Ang Thong province is in the red zone, with the amount of PM2.5 being measured at 64 microns for three days running, whereas the amount of PM10 in the atmosphere was measured at 108 microns.

According to the World Health Organisation, the annual average level of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

The capital’s air quality is invariably appalling at this time of year, due to still air and is expected to remain unsafe for the near future.

PM2.5 levels can be found on the websites bangkokairquality.com and pr-bangkok.com, as well as the Facebook pages of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Environment Department, and Air Quality and Noise Management Division, or the AirBKK smartphone application.

Back in 2021, Bangkok was listed as having the 14th worst air pollution globally on the World Air Quality Index. The PCD advises residents not to take part in unnecessary outdoor activities and to wear a face mask if they must be outside when the PM2.5 levels are unhealthy.