Clean air is more important than animal feed
The poor air quality that plagues Thailand is a recurring topic of conversation and the government has long promised to tackle the problem. However, Prime Minister Srettha's government also wants Thailand to play an important role in the international animal feed market. That is problematic, according to the following opinion piece by journalist Anchalee Kongrut in the Bangkok Post of Sunday, May 12.
Moving from Thailand to Malaysia due to poor air quality
We have lived in Thailand with my son for over 5 years and regularly suffer from respiratory problems. In the Netherlands and on holiday in Malaysia we had no problems and did not have to use nasal spray, nasal rinse water and allergy tablets. The specialists here say it is due to the poor air quality in Thailand. The IQ air meter shows that the air quality in NL/Malaysia is light to dark green almost all year round, while in Thailand it is orange-red almost all year round (green is 0-50, red is 150-200). Now we are considering immigrating to Malaysia, partly because my son wants to do IT work in Malaysia or Singapore.
Statement of the Week: "Thailand is going to lose tourists due to the poor air quality in the dry season!"
Thailand is shooting itself in the foot by failing to act adequately against an annually recurring problem. The persistent poor air quality in the dry season is a problem that the Thai government is not taking sufficient action against.
The municipality of Bangkok wants to improve air quality in the capital by expanding public transport and tackling traffic jams. High concentrations of particulate matter and toxic exhaust gases create an unhealthy situation for residents.
Reader question: Where is the air quality in Thailand best?
Where is the air quality best in Thailand? I'm looking for values lower than 40 AQI (Air Quality Index). Even Koh Chang already gives 88.
Surat Thani 74. Is the environment of Phuket (46) better than that of Koh Samui (no value)? Satun 25 southernmost point of Thailand seems best to me?
Reader submission: Indifference versus enthusiasm: do they never learn, there in Thailand?
Thailand has a complicated society. Complicated due to large visible contradictions. Compare the consumptive character of Bangkok with the subdued poverty of other regions. But other interpretations of common norms and values also seem to be valid in Thailand. For example, Thailand says it has its own form of democracy, has a different interpretation of the concept of the rule of law, and there is a big difference in how people in Thailand interact with each other.
Yesterday in Chiang Mai, the air quality was very bad again. The city even had the worst air quality in the world around noon. This peak has to do with the expiry of the government ban on open fires that expired on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has today updated the travel advice for Thailand. The ministry warns travelers about the very poor air quality in the north and northeast of Thailand.
Air quality in Chiang Mai worst in the world!
In the top ten cities with the highest air pollution, Chiang Mai ranks first and Bangkok eighth. The problem in Chiang Mai is the forest fires and the burning of harvest residues by farmers.
How is the air quality in Chiang Mai right now?
My Thai wife and I are considering spending our retirement years in Thailand. We are looking at where we want to live. My wife has family living in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai. In recent weeks we have been in Hua Hin for a longer period of time to look at housing options. At the moment we do that in Bangkok. In the coming weeks we want to visit Chiang Mai. We will then stay with (in-law) relatives.
Bangkok ranks ninth for worst air quality in the world
According to Greenpeace Thailand, New Delhi has the worst air quality in the world, Bangkok ranks ninth.
Reader question: What about particulate matter in Thailand and especially in Pattaya?
Particulate matter is responsible for the premature death of 10.000 people per year in Belgium. Is there air quality data in Thailand and more specifically in Pattaya?
We had plans to stay in the Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai area from April 26 to May 2, but we are concerned about the smog stories circulating there. Can you reassure us or suggest an active or cultural alternative for this period? So we haven't booked anything there yet.
"Air in airplanes unhealthy?"
Do you ever suffer from headaches or other physical complaints during a long flight to or from Bangkok? This may have something to do with the sickening air in airplane cabins.
News from Thailand – February 26
For seven consecutive days, the northern provinces are already suffering from a dense haze, which is worse than the haze crisis 5 years ago. The affected provinces are Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Nan, Phrae and Phayao. Mae Hong Son is the only province where the level of airborne dust particles does not exceed the safety standard.
Sukhumvit has the most dusty places in Bangkok
by Hans Bos Sukhumvit, Bangkok's most famous street, has the most dusty places in the entire city. Breathing in these places poses a direct health risk. This is according to a study by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). This tests fixed places in the city three times a year for 24 hours. In many places there is talk of 300 mpcm (million particles per cubic meter), while the limit is 120 mpcm. At the cross road …