Thick smog reached dangerously high red-alert levels in Bangkok and 12 provinces across the Central Plains and the East on Tuesday morning, as large parts of Thailand were shrouded in unsafe air pollution.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported at 8am that concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or smaller (PM2.5) ranged from 75.2 to 92.3 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) in red-alert zones. Thailand’s safety threshold is set at 37.5µg/m³.
The highest reading, 92.3µg/m³, was detected in Samut Prakan, followed by Bangkok at 89.6, Chachoengsao at 88.4, Rayong at 88.1, Samut Sakhon at 87.7, Chon Buri at 87.6, Nonthaburi at 87.3, Pathum Thani at 85.2, Prachin Buri at 83.2, Nakhon Pathom at 82.5, Chanthaburi at 78.6, Trat at 76.2 and Phetchaburi at 75.2.
All 50 districts in Bangkok recorded red-alert PM2.5 levels, ranging from 87.7 to 91.7µg/m³. Thung Khru reported the capital’s highest concentration.
Orange-alert PM2.5 levels — classified as harmful to health — ranging from 39.6 to 72.3µg/m³ were reported in 30 provinces.
These included Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Nayok, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Phetchabun and Phichit.
Other provinces were Nong Khai, Tak, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Maha Sarakham, Lamphun, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Udon Thani and Kalasin.
Twenty-four provinces, mostly in the South and parts of the North and eastern Northeast, reported either good or very good air quality, with PM2.5 levels ranging from 9.2 to 25µg/m³.
These were Mae Hong Son, Trat, Krabi, Phatthalung, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Mukdahan, Yala, Chumphon, Phuket, Songkhla, Pattani, Phangnga, Narathiwat, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Satun, Bung Kan, Roi Et, Phayao, Phrae, Chiang Mai and Nong Bua Lam Phu.
Moderate air quality, with readings between 25.2 and 36.8µg/m³, was recorded in Loei, Uttaradit, Surin, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Surat Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Ranong and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The Meteorological Department forecast stagnant air from Tuesday through next Wednesday, although expected rainfall between Thursday and Saturday may help ease pollution levels.
