Air pollution in Bangkok improved over the weekend, marathon goes ahead

PHOTO: Thai PBS

Air quality around Bangkok had sufficiently improved for the running of a charity marathon in the capital yesterday morning. 16,000 runners took part in the marathon yesterday from the Ratchamangala stadium in Hua Mark, through central Bangkok and to the finish line at the Democracy monument on Rajdamnoen road.

The race organisers say they were closely monitoring updates on the pollution situation before it was declared safe for the race to begin. About 50 medical staff were deployed to provide help in case any competitors showed signs of stress during the run. And water cannons were used at four locations along the route to spray water into the air providing a respite from the heat and some very localised instant air cleaning.

The Pollution Control Department described air quality today as very good to moderate yesterday morning.

SOURCE: Thai PBS