Serious air pollution in Bangkok - Again

[Dodger]

I just returned from my annual holiday trip to Buriram and saw 3 or 4 small crop burnings on the drive up - and 2 more on the return trip.

I've been making these road trips to Isaan for over 20 years now and nothing's changed.

The Thai government seems intent on blaming Myanmar, Laos, and even China recently, for the high levels of air pollution but as long as they continue to allow burning on Thai land they are forced back to the drawing board.

Many (if not most) Thai farmers lack the funds to remove and process the remains (scrap) of their crops the safe way - and already owe their banks more than they are earning anyway. If the banks and the government could work together to help subsidize the poor farmers so they could obtain the modern equipment needed to pulverize and reprocess crop scrap in an environmental friendly manner everyone would come out winners. Maybe in the next epoch if we're lucky!

[KeithAmbrose]

I doubt it, unfortunately. The Government is still emitting hot air on the subject.

[Jun]

The Thai government seems intent on blaming Myanmar, Laos, and even China recently, for the high levels of air pollution but as long as they continue to allow burning on Thai land they are forced back to the drawing board.

Look at a pollution map of Thailand and there's a lot of regional & even local variation. Other than variation close to the border, they cannot realistically blame the neighbours for the problem.
Particularly when they know damn well that Thailand has done nothing to fix the issue within Thailand.

[Gaybutton]

You know what I expect to be effectively done about it by this time next year? Nothing.
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Bangkok Continues to Battle Severe Air Pollution

By Goongnang Suksawat

15 January, 2024

Bangkok is currently facing a severe air pollution problem, with rising levels of PM2.5 micropollutants.

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has warned that this situation is likely to worsen until Wednesday due to poor air circulation, low atmospheric pressure, and shifting wind patterns. Residents are advised to work from home to avoid exposure.

Preeyaporn Suwanakate, the PCD director-general, explained that pollutants are accumulating in the capital. Winds from the South are expected to be replaced by winds from the East and Northeast, which will bring additional pollutants to Bangkok.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is responding by increasing inspections of pollution sources. Schools under BMA supervision have been instructed to create “dust-free” rooms. State agencies and companies are also encouraged to allow remote work, as commuting contributes significantly to pollution.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been briefed on the issue and plans to discuss it with Cambodia’s Hun Manet on Feb 7. A joint task force between Thailand and Cambodia to combat transboundary haze pollution is in consideration.

As of Sunday, 33 districts in Bangkok reported harmful pollution levels, exceeding the safe threshold. Other provinces, mainly in the North and Central Plains, are also affected.

https://tpnnational.com/2024/01/15/bang ... pollution/
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Bangkok prepares air pollution clinics and telemedicine services for red-level case surge

By Pattaya Mail

January 16, 2024

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) collaborates with a network for Work from Home (WFH) in case of continuous red-level PM 2.5 air pollution for three days in a row.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said about the situation of PM2.5 particulate matter in Bangkok that during this period, poor air circulation led to an increase in dust levels.

He said one reason is believed to be the burning of biomass within the country, as well as neighboring countries. Although the overall national biomass burning figures have decreased but in the central region, comparing the periods from January 1-9 in 2023 and 2024, there has been a 107% increase in burning points, with 525 points in 2023 and 1,089 points in 2024.

Regarding PM2.5 from exhaust fumes, a public relations campaign called “This Car #ReducesDust” has been initiated, in collaboration with nine car companies and six oil trading companies. This aims to promote the use of Euro 5 fuel.

Additionally, close monitoring of the situation has been implemented, with public alerts through various channels of the BMA. If a continuous red-level forecast for PM2.5 pollution for three days is predicted, Work from Home (WFH) measures will be implemented. Currently, a network of nearly 50,000 people is ready to cooperate in this regard, the Bangkok governor said.

In terms of schools in Bangkok, dust-free rooms have been established in all schools, and efforts are underway to create additional dust-free rooms for preschool children.

As for the source reduction, continuous inspections of dust origins have been carried out, and open burning has been strictly prohibited.

Concerning health, there are eight air pollution clinics at the BMA-run hospitals. In case of health issues related to dust, consultations are available, and telemedicine services are provided through the “Doctor BMA” application for quick diagnosis. For health consultations, a hotline 1646 operates around the clock, he added.

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... rge-450068

[Jun]

A joint task force between Thailand and Cambodia to combat transboundary haze pollution is in consideration

That's nothing but a diversion. The AQI map currently shows far lower readings in Cambodia than Bangkok. If Thailand were serious, it would firstly fix the problems at home.

[Gaybutton]

Royal Thai Air Force to battle surging fine dust pollution crisis

by Mitch Connor

17 January, 2024

With fine dust pollution surging to alarming levels in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) with spearheading the nation’s countermeasures. RTAF chief ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul yesterday confirmed the directive.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed that the provinces of Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon are presently grappling with high levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5). As of 10am today, January 17, these two provinces were marked in red, indicating dangerously high levels of PM2.5.

The safe threshold for PM2.5 is 37.5 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³). However, the dust levels in Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon were recorded at an alarming 90.3 µg/m³ and 75.8 µg/m³ respectively.

Moreover, moderately dangerous levels of fine particles were observed in 18 other provinces across the country. Ratchaburi, with a dust level of 67.6 µg/m³, topped the “orange” zones, marking areas with moderate risk, reported Bangkok Post.

In the capital city of Bangkok, the district of Nong Khaem registered the highest PM2.5 level at 58.6 µg/m³. Other districts such as Don Muang (56.2 µg/m³), Lak Si (52.1), Thawi Watthana (49.4), and Bang Bon (48.7) also reported high levels of PM2.5.

In response to the pollution crisis, ACM Phanpakdee stated that the RTAF is utilising every available resource, including water-dumping aircraft, to combat the haze. The RTAF also partners with different agencies and the Second Army Region to minimise forest fires and subsequent pollution.

Basler BT-67

In the current fiscal year, the RTAF plans to deploy a Basler BT-67, a utility aircraft with significant service life, for fire prevention and water-drop operations, said ACM Phanpakdee.

“The Air Force plans to use the Basler BT-67 despite its long service life. With that said, the safety of pilots remains a top priority.”

ACM Phanpakdee further revealed that the RTAF intends to procure four additional water containers for the water-dumping aircraft. The force also plans to set up a weather radar system to improve efficiency in predicting and locating forest fires, particularly in mountainous regions.

He added that the RTAF is also preparing for special operations to mitigate the potential impacts of this year’s El Nino weather phenomenon.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Todsaphol Phuan-U-Dom supervises authorities undertaking firebreak construction projects in bushfire-prone areas within the Op Luang National Park. The park has seen a heavy accumulation of dry vegetation matter, increasing the risk of fires.

ACM Phanpakdee reiterated the RTAF’s commitment to deploy all resources at their disposal to alleviate the escalating pollution crisis.

In response to surging ultra-fine dust pollution, Bangkok City Hall is considered a work-from-home program as the governor monitors deteriorating air quality and implements measures to combat pollution issues.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/th ... ion-crisis

[Jun]

In response to surging ultra-fine dust pollution, Bangkok City Hall is considered a work-from-home program as the governor monitors deteriorating air quality and implements measures to combat pollution issues.

Work from home ? Where the air quality is just as bad, unless the resident has invested in air filtration.

They dream up any number of ineffective measures for pollution.

Alternatively, they could simply copy what works elsewhere.
In my country, farmers used to burn crops at the end of every summer. The government solved that problem by banning it, several decades ago.

[gerefan]

The Basler BT 67 aircraft is a Dakota (DC3) converted into a turbo prop aeroplane.

The thought of the Thai Air Force using them to spray fires is quite alarming.

Western Nations, with considerable aviation experience, and much more modern aircraft, have experienced numerous fatal accidents spraying forest fires in recent years.

It would only be a matter of time….

[Dodger]

I can see the headlines now:

"Basler PT-57 crash lands on farmers field due to lack of visibility dumping 150 gallons of fuel on an already raging fire.

Casualties include a farmer and his wife who thought a UFO was landing and 2 water buffalo who were chopped to death by the planes propellers while mating. Not a pretty sight".

[Gaybutton]

It would only be a matter of time….

It doesn't matter. No matter what gimmicks they come up with to try to get rid of the pollution, none of it will work. And even if and when the pollution naturally subsides, does anyone think it won't be the same thing, or worse, next year?

There is only one way to get rid of the pollution. That is to eliminate it at it's source - and prevent it before it starts. Trying to eliminate it after it is already there and dangerous to health is too late and nothing more than an exercise in futility.

Playing the blame game is also an exercise in futility. They can blame Myanmar and farmers all they want. They might be a contributing factor, but doesn't it strike anyone as odd that every year the bulk of it lands right on top of Bangkok? Maybe there is just a little bit more to it . . .

The part on my "I Don't Get It" list is this is nothing new. This has been going on for years. Why haven't the powers-that-be done anything truly effective in all this time? They have to breathe the same air everybody else has to breathe, don't they?