Thailand Air Quality and Pollution Alerts

[hhinner]

^^ 11am today.

[buksida]

Unsafe dust levels in 43 provinces, including Bangkok
Forty-three provinces, including Bangkok and its suburbs, remain blanketed in smog, with PM2.5 dust levels over the safe limit of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/m3) on Friday morning, the Pollution Control Department reported.

The 43 provinces were Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lampang, Phrae, Lamphun, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Bueng Kan, Loei, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram.

As of 7am, PM2.5 levels ranged between 34-154ug/m3 in most areas in the North, 29-96ug/m3 in most areas in the Northeast, 48-117ug/m3 in most areas in the Central Plains and the West, 32-79ug/m3 in four areas in the East, and 10-25ug/m3 in the South.

In Bangkok and surrounding areas, PM2.5 dust levels exceeded in most areas, ranging from 54-119ug/m3.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ng-bangkok

[Big Boy]

Thailand to reduce the 50-micron of PM2.5 safety standard to 37.5 microns

Thailand will adjust the country’s standard safety level of air pollution from an average of 50 microns to 37.5 microns from June 1, with the hope that this will help the Pollution Control Department manage air pollution with increased efficiency, according to PCD Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-t ... 5-microns/

A great headline catcher, but they feed us crap like this every year. Nobody actually polices it.

[Nereus]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -vengeance

Schools close as air quality poses threat

[DDD]

What’s clogging up the horizon? I’ve noticed it takes the sun awhile to get up past whatever is out there even when the 2.5 ppm level is low and visibility is 13+ miles. Not complaining, just curious as only been here a couple months.

[Big Boy]

Smoke.

[DDD]

Smoke seems to be high in 2.5 particles (as well as gases that probably aren’t measured). So I’d expect to see higher ppm. When I lived in Chiang Mai, I saw many quite clear days with similar 2.5 as HH. Wondering what is different here.

Might there be a “bowl” effect with the mountains here that keeps stale air around? Not seeing how that works with the winds we’ve been having though. One local talked about how HH gets less rain than areas north or south of it. So maybe rain not clearing the air?

[buksida]

Thailand's tourism future darkened by air pollution
The Doi Suthep hilltop, which overlooks the ancient city of Chiang Mai, is a popular tourist destination. But magnificent views have been increasingly elusive to those who endure the hike as heavy air pollution turns the skies hazy.

The COVID-19 masking mandate has been lifted, but many locals remain masked up.

"I'm worried about infection, but air pollution is scary as well," a masked shop vendor said one day in late February.

The air quality index reader on a smartphone showed 164 -- which, at a value above 150, meant air quality was considered unhealthy, presenting higher risks of respiratory symptoms. Chiang Mai and other parts of northern Thailand recorded values above 200 in early- to mid-February, emerging as one of the world's most polluted areas.

Thailand's air quality typically deteriorates during the dry season, which is generally from November to February, and stays poor until around April, as farmers burn sugarcane fields to remove the leaves before harvesting. Automobile emissions are another factor. Northern parts of the country, a big agricultural region, as well as Bangkok and surrounding areas suffer from severe pollution.

As of the end of January, some 380,000 people were confirmed to have respiratory problems or eye irritations.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Travel ... -pollution

[huahin4ever]

I am considering a trip to Tak area this coming week, but seriously starts to feel it is unsafe seeing the air pollution values. Anyone up in that area can confirm it is really bad? This is a screen shot from the IQair app just now, and Mae Sot shows 272!

YNWA

[hhinner]

I was just chatting with a friend in Chiang Mai. CM Municipality reported AQI of 293 at 11am.

[Motyduke]

it is just a nightmare to breathe that. Here in HH, more than 160 today. Many problems for respiratory illness, brain cancer for kids, cardiac arythmia and so on. I really feel that nobody try to solve the problem at all.

[KhunLA]

91 down here @ PKK municipality .... 🤬

AQI 91 ... & not 91 and they are only 2 kms away
the hills to the west, only 10 ish kms away, can't even see

smog.jpg

(234.9 KiB) Downloaded 2828 times

[Hahuahin]

I am considering a trip to Tak area this coming week, but seriously starts to feel it is unsafe seeing the air pollution values. Anyone up in that area can confirm it is really bad? This is a screen shot from the IQair app just now, and Mae Sot shows 272!

YNWA

Just now

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/thailand/tak

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/thailand/pr ... an/hua-hin

[Ratsima]

This morning my wife informed me that the US AQI in Cha Am is 21, or "Good".

Doesn't look so good to me:
.

chaammtn.jpg

(169.88 KiB) Downloaded 2718 times

From my balcony webcam. You can just barely see Khao Yai on the horizon to the left.

BTW, the AQI here in Korat is 188 or "Unhealthy".

[huahin4ever]

All red

YNWA