Thailand tightens exhaust checks to combat PM2.5 pollution
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has intensified its efforts to inspect exhaust emissions from trucks and buses across Thailand to tackle the PM2.5 air pollution issue.
Nearly 1,000 vehicles were banned yesterday, February 24. Jirut Wisalchit, DLT Director General, reported on the progress of the vehicle inspections, which align with the Ministry of Transport’s policy to address and prevent fine particulate matter pollution.
Yesterday, February 24, exhaust emissions from 515 buses and trucks nationwide were tested, with four vehicles found to exceed the government’s emission standards. From October 1 last year to February 24, a total of 68,694 vehicles were inspected, resulting in 909 being banned from use.
Vehicle owners and operators whose vehicles have been banned are required to make necessary repairs and undergo a re-inspection at the transport office. Non-compliance with the ban will result in legal consequences.
Residents are encouraged to participate in preventing and solving the PM2.5 problem by reporting vehicles emitting excessive smoke, reported KhaoSod.
They can submit pictures showing the vehicle’s registration number clearly to the Passenger Protection and Complaint Centre via the 24-hour hotline 1584, Line@: @1584DLT, the Facebook page 1584 Public Transport Complaints at https://www.facebook.com/dlt1584/, the website http://ins.dlt.go.th/cmpweb/, the DLT GPS application, or via email at [email protected].
In similar news, Thailand’s severe PM2.5 air pollution, prompted the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to issue an urgent directive to local administrative organisations and Bangkok.
The directive encourages the use of local health security funds to combat the pollution, including purchasing masks for vulnerable groups.
On January 26, Doctor Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the NHSO, highlighted the worsening PM2.5 pollution impacting various areas early this year.
The health minister, who chairs the NHSO board, expressed concern for public health, urging the NHSO to prompt agencies, organisations, and groups of people to initiate projects addressing air pollution.
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