PM2.5 dust has reached the health-damaging Red level in 17 districts of Bangkok today, an improvement from 31 districts yesterday. The Air Pollution Mitigation Centre predicts that the pollution will continue to worsen into tomorrow and possibly longer, due to poor air circulation and transboundary pollutants.
PM2.5 levels in and around Bangkok this morning were from 49.9-87.5µg/m³, against the safe threshold of 37.5µg/m³.
The districts in Bangkok where PM2.5 is at the Red level are: Khlong Toei, Khlong San, Khlong Sam Wa, Taling Chan, Thawee Wattana, Thon Buri, Bangkok Noi, Bang Khen, Bang Bon, Bang Phlat, Bang Rak, Bueng Kum, Pathumwan, Prawet, Yan Nawa, Nong Chok and Din Daeng.
People in these districts are advised to suspend outdoor activities or wear face masks at all times when outdoors.
Meanwhile, excessive PM2.5 has been measured in 56 other provinces this morning:
- 1-89.2µg/m³ in northern provinces
- 3-74.4µg/m³ in the north-eastern region
- 0-105µg/m³ in central and western regions
- 3-84.8µg/m³ in the eastern region
- 14-25.9µg/m³ in the southern region
Somkuan Tonjan, director of the Central Weather Forecast office of the Meteorological Department, attributed Bangkok’s high PM2.5 levels to stagnant air, compounded a very light south easterly breeze, causing dust to mix with humidity, as well as an increase in hotspots in Cambodia and Myanmar.
