The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to introduce initiatives aimed at boosting public engagement in the fight against air pollution, with a particular focus on combating PM2.5 fine dust pollution this year.
BMA spokesman Aekvarunyoo Amrapala noted on Wednesday that from November to March each year, PM2.5 levels in Bangkok frequently surpass the safe limit of 50µg/m³ in many areas, largely attributed to air stagnation.
In response to the significant health risks posed by fine dust pollution, the BMA has directed all district offices to start taking action starting Thursday.
The planned actions include ramping up inspections to curb black smoke emissions from vehicles, collaborating with local police to optimize traffic flow, and enforcing no-parking rules on both primary and secondary roads, according to Mr. Aekvarunyoo.
Additional strategies involve urging drivers to switch off their engines when parked, tightening regulations on factories and construction sites to keep emissions within safe limits, and banning the open burning of waste.
Furthermore, the BMA has advised Chinese shrines, foundations, and temples to cease the use of incense and paper burning. Measures such as street cleaning, dust vacuuming, and washing trees, leaves, and bus stops will be enhanced.
Meanwhile, Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, reported an increase in PM2.5 pollution in Bangkok and neighboring provinces on his Facebook page.
He also detailed a future plan to tackle pollution through a three-tier management system—national, regional, and provincial—that will involve creating risk maps for areas with illegal burning, managing forest fires, regulating fuel types, and monitoring high-risk agricultural zones.
