Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has warned the rising concentration of PM2.5 pollutants is caused by poor air circulation in many areas of the capital while advising Bangkok residents to work from home to avoid the worst of the air pollution.
Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has warned the rising concentration of PM2.5 pollutants is caused by poor air circulation in many areas of Bangkok (Photo:bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) ꧋– Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has warnedthe rising concentration of PM2.5 pollutants is caused bypoor air circulation in many areas of the capital while advising Bangkokresidents to work from home to avoid the worst of the air pollution.
Preeyaporn Suwanakate, the PCD’sdirector-general, said that the intensifying accumulation of PM2.5 pollutants is a consequence of compromised aircirculation in several areas across the city. This complication is largelyattributed to the combination of low atmospheric pressure and fluctuating windpatterns in the region, leading to the buildup of pollutants.
ಞ Currently, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration hasincreased its scrutiny of all pollution sources within the city. Additionally, it has directed schools to establish dust-free rooms at all kindergartensand schools under its jurisdiction.
Government agencies and companies are encouraged to support remoteworking, as commuting within the city contributes significantly to airpollution. To further mitigatepollution, the government is offering up to 55% discounts to those intending tochange their engine oil and oil filters. Satellite imagery from Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency(GISTDA) identified 1,566 hotspots on January 9; 1,139 on January 10; and 1,023on January 11. Prime Minister SretthaThavisin has been updated on the situation and plans to discuss the matter withhis Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet during his visit to Thailand on February7. Previously, PM Srettha mentioned that Thailand and Cambodia willestablish a joint task force to combat transboundary haze pollution. Also, Preeyaporn statedthat the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has requested thesecretary-general of ASEAN to persuade all countries within the Greater MekongSub-region to prevent forest fires and crackdown on activities leading totransboundary haze, such as slash-and-burn farming./.
The Royal Thai Navy recently installed 13 PM2.5 filtration machines around Bangkok capital city to lower the level of fine dust in the air to a safe level.
The National Environment Board (NEB) of Thailand has endorsed stricter measures to combat air pollution caused by PM2.5, ordering all 17 provinces in the North to halt burning activities until the end of April.
Thailand’s government has greenlighted incentives worth 8 billion THB (225 million USD) for sugarcane farmers who agree to cut fresh sugarcane without burning the residue, a move aimed at helping reduce the amount of PM2.5 dust in the 2022-2023 harvest year.
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