In just one week, a toxic combination of vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and crop burning haze has descended upon Thailand, resulting in a staggering 200,000 hospitalizations. Bangkok and Chiang Mai, two of the nation’s largest cities, find themselves shrouded in a disconcerting yellow-grey fog, prompting urgent calls for action.
200,000 hospitalized in one week amidst toxic air invasion
The vulnerable demographics, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly, are strongly advised to remain indoors, while those braving the outside are urged to equip themselves with N95 anti-pollution masks. Recognizing the heightened risk to young children, city nurseries have established specialized ‘no dust rooms’ furnished with air purifiers.
Public health officials express grave concern, revealing that over 1.3 million Thais have fallen ill due to air pollution since the year commenced. Shockingly, air pollution claims more lives annually in Thailand than obesity or smoking. According to the WHO’s State of Global Air report, nearly 8% of all deaths in Thailand in 2019, totaling over 41,000 cases, were attributed to air pollution, with PM2.5 identified as the leading caus
Root causes and long-term solutions: understanding Thailand’s Air Quality Crisis
Opart Karnkawinpong, Thailand’s public health secretary, highlights the alarming rise in PM2.5 levels, exceeding 51 micrograms per cubic meter of air for an extended period across 15 provinces. He attributes this escalation partly to reduced travel during the pandemic, resulting in decreased pollution levels.
Alliya Moun-Ob, an air pollution campaigner for Greenpeace Thailand, paints a grim picture, describing the current situation as “scary” and quite possibly the worst on record. Visibility has drastically diminished, with once-visible mountains in Chiang Mai now obscured by the haze, and Bangkok’s skyline swallowed by smog. Moun-Ob points to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced rainfall as exacerbating factors.
Urgent measures taken as fumes engulf Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Despite a ban on agricultural burning imposed three months prior, Thailand continues to grapple with poor air quality, underscoring the urgency for more effective measures to combat this pressing environmental crisis.
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