Thailand Air Quality and Pollution Alerts

[caller]

Our bedroom has the air cleaned every night, and doors closed during the day. When we put the purifier on last night it started ay 54, which is 4 above the danger level. OK, the levels soon dropped, but for those without an air purifier, it is basically a hidden killer.

But what about the rest of your house?

[Big Boy]

Yes, we have a heavy duty air purifier in the living room as well,

Air purifiers aside, I'll be taking Mrs BB to hospital with breathing problems in about the next 10 minutes. An annual problem, and here we go again

[buksida]

The Cambodians are having a dig ...

Compared to Thailand, air quality situation in Cambodia is still good
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501420830/ ... till-good/

Looking at that map for the region, it appears that everywhere aside from China and India has cleaner air than Thailand.

[PeteC]

Time to mask up when outside for extended periods IMO. Different type of mask required I would think compared to Covid. Nothing less than N95?

[PeteC]

Choking smog in 55 provinces

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

[Big Boy]

Just back from getting Mrs BB's lungs cleaned at the hospital. and there's a bloody great fire at the foot of Hin Lek Fai. Smoke everywhere

[caller]

Time to mask up when outside for extended periods IMO. Different type of mask required I would think compared to Covid. Nothing less than N95?

I'm doing exactly that in Bkk. But with a KF94 mask from Korea, initially designed for yellow dust, but research shows it is an effective barrier. Looks and feels just like the PM2.5 masks that we used for covid, which is why I bought them.

[PeteC]

PM2.5 dust may trigger osteoporosis

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... teoporosis

Scientists from Mahidol University believe that fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, or PM2.5, may cause osteoporosis........ (Full story at link)

[buksida]

The crop burning is continuing unabated in Thailand. Up in Phayao province now where you can get a 360-degree view of field fires during the day and a lovely brown haze every evening at sunset.

[Big Boy]

Yes, same old, same old every year. The politicians say the right words, but nothing changes.

[buksida]

Thai Government Wants People to Reduce Incense Burning for Chinese New Year to Stop Air Pollution
On February 7th, 2024, Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, gave a statement for the Chinese New Year Celebration from February 8th to the 10, emphasizing monitoring the lighting of incense, candles, firecrackers, and burning of paper money.

The Deputy Government Spokesperson publicly stated that the Thai government was concerned about the health problems from PM 2.5 smoke on a concerning level. To reduce small dust particles in the atmosphere and protect the environment, the Thai government asked to reduce the use of incense and to use electric incense instead.

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/02/08/t ... pollution/

Are these muppets for real? How about stopping the CP-backed farmers from burning their fields for three months a year?

[Big Boy]

Unbelievable.

[Big Boy]

You have to wonder how this happened without the diligent authorities not noticing.

[PeteC]

Thailand: 10 million sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses in 2023

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68487230

More than 10 million Thais sought treatment for illnesses linked to air pollution in 2023, authorities said.

The data from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) come as Thailand's air quality is worsening.

Widespread farm burning and forest fires, notably in the country's north, often create a noxious smog at the beginning of the year.

The start of 2024 has already seen a jump in cases of pollution-related diseases compared to the previous year.

From 1.3 million in the first nine weeks of 2023, the number of people seeking treatment for pollution-related illnesses increased to 1.6 million at the start of 2024, AFP reported. Thailand has a population of about 72 million.

The cases include those with chronic conditions such as lung cancer, bronchitis, asthma, and heart diseases.

Thailand must "prioritise... the impact of PM2.5 on public health", the NESDC said.

PM 2.5 refers to the level of tiny, hazardous particles - with diameters that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller - that can enter bloodstreams though the lungs.

Exposure to these micro-pollutants can cause burning and itching in the eyes and skin, as well as coughing and chest tightness.

These symptoms may be amplified for those who have pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

Some of Thailand's northern cities have been cited as among the world's most polluted by air quality monitoring websites. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lampang have been given "unhealthy" ratings by monitoring platform IQAir.

Thailand's air pollution is a problem during the dry season - which typically runs from November to March - mainly due to seasonal burning from farmers clearing their sugarcane and rice fields.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to improve air quality. Lawmakers also endorsed a bill aimed at tackling the problem.

Last week, the country announced plans to deploy 30 aircraft across the nation for cloud seeding to induce rain and ease pollution.

In February, officials in Bangkok urged employees to work from home for two days as pollution levels in the capital city and surrounding provinces reached unhealthy levels.

Over the years, residents and environmental groups in Thailand have also filed lawsuits to demand government action against pollution.

Last July, about 1,700 people in Chiang Mai brought a case against former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and two state agencies for failing to exercise their authority to reduce pollution in the north, which they say was shortening each of their lives by about five years.

In January this year, a Chiang Mai court ordered the government to come up with an emergency plan to improve air quality within 90 days.

[buksida]

For the love of God, don't admit anything is amiss else the Chinese hordes will stop coming ... (whilst the Thais suffer with breathing problems).

Disaster zone label 'will hurt tourism'
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has admitted that the government decided against declaring Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite its worsening air pollution out of fear that it would hurt the province's tourism industry.

Taking to X to defend the government's decision, Mr Srettha said he has listened to suggestions made by various stakeholders and came to the conclusion that declaring the province a disaster zone will drive away foreign visitors -- especially those whose insurance policies won't cover problems that arise while travelling in disaster-hit areas.

There are other ways to tackle the province's air pollution, so the government decided to go with the option which would pose the least risk to people's livelihoods, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rt-tourism

"Other ways to tackle pollution" ... including turning a blind eye to it.

Edit: just checked the world air quality rankings, and 8 of the top 10 worst cities are in Asia.
https://www.iqair.com/world-air-quality-ranking