Government under pressure due to lack of effective measures against particulate matter
The government has received a lot of criticism from scientists, doctors and citizens' groups for failing to combat particulate matter. The measures taken are not strict enough and too superficial.
Prime Minister Prayut says it is difficult with laws to ensure that the amount of PM2,5 particulate matter is reduced: “We cannot just penalize all polluters because the punitive measures lead to other serious problems for society. We must rely on cooperation.”
Today the cabinet decides to ban diesel trucks in the city center of Bangkok on odd days. The government also wants to reduce the sulfur content in premium-grade petrol, encourage car-pooling and public transport and better control of open fire.
According to experts, these measures do not go far enough. Tara Buakamsri, director of Greenpeace in Southeast Asia, says more needs to be done to tackle the causes of the PM2,5 particulate matter problem: “People have little confidence in the effectiveness of the government because they are not doing enough. Long-term solutions must be found, such as improving public transport and discouraging the use of private vehicles.”
Yesterday, far too high particulate matter values were measured in 34 of the 50 districts in Bangkok, which are unhealthy for humans and animals. Also today the weather is very wrong in Bangkok and 23 provinces. (PM 2,5) values have been measured from 55 to 89 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The safe threshold set by the WHO is 25mcg.
Source: Bangkok Post
In Chiang Mai, the values of particulate matter have been much higher for years than they are now in Bangkok. Only when there are problems in the City of Angels is there attention and maybe something will be done. In Bangkok, too, 60-70 percent of air pollution comes from the burning of agricultural land.
The problem is that the government can take measures against burning land in its own country. As I was told by an expert, the share of the surrounding countries in the particulate matter problem is much greater than what is happening in Thailand, which of course should not be a reason to do nothing. Incidentally, Malaysia, for example, has the same problem with fires in Indonesia.
Ultimately, it will also prove unavoidable for Thailand to take measures to stop air pollution. Enforcing the ban on polluting diesels, offering farmers alternatives to burning down their fields, and making agreements with industry to limit emissions: a few examples that require little or no effort as many countries have already preceded Thailand, and show Thailand how address those problems.
But will it happen? I have a hard head about that because those who should initiate all those measures must also finance them. In other words, money has to be added instead of: money can be raised!
Yes, money is needed and most importantly: the farmers must be involved in the plans and implementation. Controlling everything from above will do little good. Call the farmers together and promise a subsidy for plowing crop residues under.
it's an annual round dance! The previous governments never did anything about it. Perhaps the ban on burning crops, but it has never been enforced.
It would be nice if the current government at least takes the first steps.
As soon as the problems become of such a nature that solutions have to be sought, problems will arise in Thailand. Until now, we are still in a kind of 60s scenario where anything is possible and nothing has to be thought about. It is becoming more difficult by the day, but it is still possible and will work for a while.
But in any case there will come a time when many things will not work out…..and then I expect very big problems here.