Every dry spell it returns: the suffocating fog of PM2.5 that covers Thailand like a gray carpet. While the air quality is deteriorating, the Thai government seems to wait quietly, as if surprised by the recurring problem. What can tourists and residents expect when the air fills with this invisible danger?
Bangkok is facing a serious air quality crisis, leaving the city shrouded in choking smog. With a population of more than 11 million, the local government has ordered officials to work from home and advised residents to stay indoors. The combination of crop burning, industry and traffic has made the Thai capital one of the most polluted cities worldwide.
Visiting Bangkok but worried about smog?
I would like to visit Bangkok someday, but I'm worried because of my weak lungs and the bad air there. How do I deal with that?
Chiang Mai battles smog for tourism boost
Tourism leaders in Chiang Mai are raising the alarm about increasing smog problems, just as the peak tourist season is just around the corner. They are calling for swift government action, for health, environmental and economic reasons, to keep the city a clean and attractive destination.
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent warning to residents of Bangkok about the dangers of PM2.5 particulate matter in the air, noting that it can cause skin rashes and allergies, as well as affect your lungs.
How is the situation in Chang Rai with smog now?
We hope to go to Thailand again next year for the 30th time, but we have a question for you. Two years ago we drove full throttle from the north (Chang Rai) to the south because my bad lungs couldn't handle the smog anymore.
Chiang Mai has the worst air quality in the world
Chiang Mai is the most polluted city in the world. Since the beginning of March, the city has been among the top three cities with the worst air quality, but Chiang Mai is doing even worse than the other cities. The USAQI has been at 195 for many consecutive days, followed by Beijing at 182, IQ AirVisual said Tuesday.
Bangkok will be under a blanket of smog and dangerous particulate matter for the next three days
Bangkok will be covered in dangerous smog for the next three days. That's because farmers set fire to sugar cane fields. The newly formed Center for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) expects high levels of PM 2,5 dust particles in the capital and neighboring provinces, which are unhealthy for humans and animals.
Smog in Thailand: 3.238 fires, mostly in the north
1.334 fires were counted in northern Thailand last Saturday. Across the country, 3.238 fires have been identified using satellite imagery provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency.
Prime Minister Prayut is considering a car ban in the fight against particulate matter and smog
Prime Minister Prayut says he is prepared to take draconian measures if the concentration of PM2,5 particulate matter exceeds 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air, so twice the safety limit used by Thailand and four times the limit used by the WHO. As an example, he mentions a driving ban for cars.
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.
Thick smog in the north and toxic air in Bangkok
In the north of Thailand, in the province of Lampang, a thick unhealthy smog can be observed today. In Bangkok, residents are also confronted with toxic air due to high particulate matter levels in eight districts.
Smog: Better wear face masks when you go out in Bangkok
The authorities in Bangkok, including the PCD, say that the residents of Bangkok should wear face masks when they go outside, due to the poor air quality in the capital.
Smog back in Bangkok
The smog returned to the Thai capital on Tuesday morning. At seven measuring stations, PM 2.5 fine dust particles were measured above the safe value, up to 57 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) wants government employees to stop driving to work if the concentration of PM 2,5 rises above 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The PCD believes that this can improve air quality.
Smog alarm in Bangkok: Concentration of PM 2,5 particulate matter above safety level
It's bad again in Bangkok. The smog hangs like a blanket over the capital. The concentration of PM 2,5 dust particles in the capital has risen above safety level, with Bang Kholaem most affected (78 micrograms per cubic meter of air).
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.
Smog and particulate matter in the North increased again
Air pollution in the north of Thailand rose sharply again at the beginning of this week. In the district of Muang (Chiang Rai), a concentration of 105 mcg of PM 2,5 dust particles was measured in the air.
Thousands of Thais sickened by severe smog in the North
Since January, 8.600 residents in northern Thailand have sought medical attention for breathing difficulties from the lingering smog, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) said. The concentration of PM 2,5 particulate matter still remains far above the PCD safety limit of 50 mcg and the WHO's 25 mcg.
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.
Smog in the North: Government will hand out face masks
In Chiang Mai, free face masks are being handed out to residents because of the persistent smog with toxic air. Chiang Mai is one of nine northern provinces where the concentration of PM 2,5 particulate matter far exceeds the safety limit.
When will the smog problem in Chiang Mai be over?
We are going to Thailand in mid-April and would also like to visit the north, such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Now we know about the smog problem in the northern provinces. But we also know that this mainly occurs in the months of February and March. Can we assume that the worst problems will be over by the end of April or should we forget about the north for the time being?