Thailand’s smog showdown: Clearing the air with a bold 30% cut
In a bid to wipe the smog off the map, Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) is gearing up for a 2024 blitz on air pollution, aiming to slash hotspots by a daring 30%.
PCD Chief Preeyaporn Suwanaked held court at a buzzing press conference, revealing the National Environment Board’s stamp of approval on an ambitious blueprint to combat haze. This all-encompassing plan targets smog culprits lurking in forests, farms, and cityscapes.
With a sharp eye on cutting traffic snarls, the PCD’s playbook includes trimming public bus fares, putting vehicles under the microscope, and rolling out work-from-home days in bustling urban hubs.
Turning up the heat on fire prevention, the department has drawn a risk map for 14 forest complexes across the northern and northeastern landscapes, with new rules demanding farmers log in with government officials before sparking any flames, said Preeyaporn.
“Our mission is crystal clear: we’re out to trim nationwide hotspots by a robust 30% next year.”
On the meteorological front, Thailand is sailing through the La Nina phase, stretching from September to March, bringing with it torrents of rain that are likely to dampen hotspot numbers compared to past years.
Yet, even as cleaner skies beckon, Preeyaporn assured the public that vigilance remains the watchword. The PCD is set to team up with allied agencies, ready to tackle any pollution setbacks head-on.
Meanwhile, Sakda Tridech, the PCD Air Quality and Noise Management Division chief, issued a heads-up for Bangkokians as he predicted a spike in pesky particulates next month, thanks to an impending cold blast blowing in from China.
Only two weeks ago, Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces awoke to find themselves enveloped in a thick blanket of smog, as pollution levels reached dangerously high levels. The stagnant air trapped hazardous levels of PM2.5, leaving the city gasping for breath.
