How long until particulate matter reaches everyone?
In the Thai and international media, it seems that only Bangkok has to deal with life-threatening smog. The government only calls not to panic, but does not get much further than water cannons and airplanes. A matter of porridge and keeping wet.
In Hua Hin, 220 kilometers south of Bangkok, the counter stuck at 70. That means the air quality is bad, according to Weatherbug. I do not consider the other contamination, because within the margins. The amount of particulate matter of 74.6 micrograms per cubic meter is of particular concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains the number of 25, but the Thai government does not care much about that. Thailand says 50 is the limit. Above that it becomes unhealthy, with some departments saying that nothing is wrong until 200.
It is understandable that the government does not want to slaughter the tourist goose that lays the golden eggs, but if even in the royal resort of Hua Hin a value is measured that is almost three times the WHO limit, it is time to look each other in the eye. Where does the filth come from today? The wind is from the north, so I assume the particulate matter is coming from around Bangkok, or around Pattaya and Sattahip.
Is there anyone in Hua Hin who is concerned about their own health or that of their wife and children? There is nothing to notice. The incineration of household waste continues and pickups and trucks spray black smoke into the environment as if nothing had happened. Few face cloths in daily life, although the normal 'surgical masks' do not help to stop the fine dust. And that can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. What the Thai does not see, is not there. The few N95 masks that do and Homepro had in stock in Hua Hin have long since sold out. I wear one when I go cycling, but that's definitely not fun, because the filter only allows a limited amount of air through.
Anyone who wants to advise me, as usual, to go back to the Netherlands if I don't like it here, the following: to start with, I still like it here after 13 years. Then I will not let myself be silenced by some rose-tinted glasses who think they have found the earthly paradise here. You will have to learn to live with my criticism of the Netherlands, Thailand and the rest of the world. After all, the earthly paradise does not exist, especially when we look at air quality.
I am not alone in my criticism. The Bangkok Post is also of the opinion that the Thai government is making the necessary mistakes. “But authorities have just advised people to stay indoors or wear protective masks, without letting on that it is a real crisis. In fact, both short-term and long-term exposure to airborne particulate matter risks adverse health impacts, mainly to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2012, ambient air pollution contributed to 6.7% of all deaths worldwide.
We are therefore more likely to wait for rain than for government intervention.
OK, Hans, don't be silenced…just tell it how it is. The Thais don't blame you at all, except maybe a few hotemets in the tourist sector.
How harmful particulate matter, especially PM 2.5, is to health is best expressed as an average figure over an entire year. (micrograms per cubic meter). A figure of 200 per day for a week and less than say 10 for the rest of the year seems serious and is very noticeable, but is less harmful than the less striking average figure of 30 over an entire year. If you want to know where air pollution is most harmful to your health, don't look at the peaks but at the average. Places with a lot of traffic, industry and fires are always unhealthy anyway.
A good explanation of the situation in Thailand:
https://www.thethailandlife.com/air-pollution-thailand
A daily, current look at the particulate matter in various places in Thailand, with predictions:
http://aqicn.org/city/thailand/
Particulate matter in the Isaan is also high due to combustion.
It mainly concerns cane sugar and rice fields plus of course the daily fires.
This morning we were able to enjoy black snow again.
Large flakes also come down, especially from burning cane sugar.
Sugar cane is only burnt to have less transport volume to the factory. Could easily be banned and enforced by checking this supply at the factory and rejecting blackened reeds. But such measures are of course only effective if they are enforced. Suggestion: Abolish the 90-day notification and deploy the released officials to control illegal burning, rubbish dumping and polluting cars. But of course that is not Thai logic.
So, finally someone who doesn't shut up. Let a bunch of rose-glasses wearers, who are all too quick to comment if someone dares to put down the truth. Always those comments if you can't adapt, what are you doing here!!. We Dutch people have been given freedom of expression, and why shouldn't we make use of this, if it also concerns you, I too breathe this filthy air.
It's about time the government did something about this. And as far as those rose-colored glasses wearers are concerned, they do indeed see Thailand as a non-existent paradise.
Despite all the problems caused by too many people on earth, I still hope to keep my rose colored glasses 😉
The link below contains a prayer in Pali/Thai to combat air pollution 🙂
The authorities only spray water at the places where the pollution is measured…
85% of pollution comes from traffic. If that is not curtailed nothing will improve.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2515848838432417&set=a.105767256107266&type=3&eid=ARDqcthM8Z9fQFq3A6mhR5khGr_Ih81eXSJC3G0ER9dT3ZUxI-mcNlAhx9yncPl2Waa7wLeSdVck8QCa
In Bangkok, about 25 checkpoints have been set up by the police since yesterday.
Vehicles are checked for exhaust gas emissions.
Vehicle owners who produce polluting exhaust gases during this check will be fined 1000 Bath and will not be allowed to use their vehicle for the next 30 days. Is becoming
if caught within 30 days, a fine of 5000 baht will follow.
In my opinion, it does not amount to much, but I still see it as a start that people are going to take the fight against smog seriously.
Of course, living in Nongpru, as an avid outdoor athlete, I am also concerned about the particulate matter in the air.
Isn't it true that 95% of air pollution from traffic is caused by 5% of vehicles? In Malaysia where there is enforcement, the traffic is much cleaner!
In Thailand it is a serious and very disturbing problem in some areas, cities.
And to go back to the Netherlands for that?
Just some numbers;
In the Netherlands, about 8.000 people die every year from particulate matter in the air. This is what researchers say in the scientific journal The Lancet. About 10 percent of this death toll is caused by emissions from coal-fired power stations.
I have not been living in Thailand that long, but I have noticed that air pollution occurs seasonally. I think everything has to do with burning in rice and sugar cane fields. Perhaps private interests prevent it from doing anything about this, but it saves a drink on a drink if this is simply banned. Preferably all over Asia.
Burning sugar cane etc is already a crime. The penalty is a minimum of 2 years in prison and a 14.000 baht fine. Purchasing sugar cane harvested in this way is not illegal. Purely cut sugar cane is worth more, but the bottom line is that the burning method is financially better for the farmers.
Source and more: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1083880/new-sugar-policy-has-a-bitter-taste
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/calamity/2019/01/14/burning-sugarcane-stalks-contributes-to-smog-activists/
Of course I meant Nongprue.