Toxic smog returns to Greater Bangkok

[Gaybutton]

me and all the other people coughing too.

Me too. Coughing and a lot of phlegm. I can do without both. I've tried Xyzal antihistamine and anti allergy, and Mucohof and NAC long for the phlegm- none of which have been much help.

[Jun]

Me too. Coughing and a lot of phlegm. I can do without both. I've tried Xyzal antihistamine and anti allergy, and Mucohof and NAC long for the phlegm- none of which have been much help.

Have you tried filtering your air ?

Now I'm settling into the same room for a few weeks, I've just installed some filter material into the aircon unit. I've seen up to a 75% reduction in PM2.5 from this relatively crude solution before.

If I had a permanent residence here, I'd be straight up to one of the DIY or electrical stores to get freestanding filters.

[Jun]

Last night, there was some rain, so the PM2.5 reading dropped from 60 to 38.
Around 20 in my room, which benefits from a slightly tired filter.

[Gaybutton]

Unsafe air still persists.
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Bangkok smog red lines, unsafe air in 15 provinces

February 5, 2025

Bangkok residents suffered on Wednesday, with smog levels at red hazardous-to-health levels, and unsafe levels of ultrafine dust recorded in 15 of the 76 provinces, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda).

Gistda’s report on the levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) at 1pm showed red levels of the ultrafine dust at 75.3 microgrammes per cubic metre of air over the past 24 hours. The government-set safe threshold is 37.5µg/m³.

Fifteen provinces outside Bangkok faced orange levels (starting to affect health) of PM2.5 ranging from 37.7 to 64.4µg/m³.

In descending order, the provinces were Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Suphan Buri, Rayong, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chonburi (Pattaya's province), Phrae, Kanchanaburi and Ang Thong.

Forty-eight provinces in the North, the Central Plain and the Northeast had moderate air quality represented by yellow levels of PM2.5 ranging from 25.3 to 37.3µg/m³. They included Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Mae Hong Son and Nong Khai.

Thirteen provinces in the South had good air quality with green PM2.5 levels ranging from 16.5 to 24.3µg/m³.

In descending order they were Satun, Yala, Pattani, Trang, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Krabi, Chumphon, Ranong, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phangnga and Phuket.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -provinces

[Jun]

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/thailand/ch ... ttaya-city

At 19.5, the Pattaya PM2.5 is only 4x the WHO limit now, which is far better than yesterday. I get similar readings to that site.

[Dodger]

I've been in Bangkok the last 5 days and half the people are wearing masks and the other half are coughing. Go figure!

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bangkok is measuring 126 (unhealthy), as compared to 56 in Bang Saray. The AQI in Pattaya is even higher than Bangkok today at 153 so a lot of caution is needed. (Anything over 100 AQI is cause for concern).

Jai and I wear our masks the minute we step out of the hotel, avoid morning outdoor fitness activities, (pollution is always worse in the early morning hours), and wash our hands constantly. So far - so good.

A few of you guys mentioned "coughing". A good natural remedy is sipping hot green tea and ginger root while breathing in the vapors through your nostrils. Works like a charm!

I do the same as Jun...and place sheets of that PM 2.5 filter material in my aircons back home.

GB,,,if you drive your car around make sure to push the "recirculate air" button.

We'll be in Bangkok until Tuesday...having a great time...but can't wait to get home and take these masks off.

[Jun]

The AQI in Pattaya is even higher than Bangkok today at 153 so a lot of caution is needed. (Anything over 100 AQI is cause for concern).

The PM2.5 reading was about 80 this morning. Yesterday evening, someone had a very smokey fire on a large rubbish covered plot of land near Pratumnak. I'd imagine that's still going.

Pollution will be a problem, if they make zero effort to control it. I often wear a mask at the moment.

I even know of one tourist who has gone home early due to the pollution. I have no plans to do that, but it would be helpful if pollution resulted in a significant drop in tourism revenue.

I do the same as Jun...and place sheets of that PM 2.5 filter material in my aircons back home.

I liked the Filtrete that comes on a roll, but unfortunately Home Pro on Pattaya Klang stock something else now. I might have to order online.

[Gaybutton]

The PM2.5 reading was about 80 this morning.

I went to the hospital today about the cough and phlegm. First they did a chest X-ray. No problems there. The doctor said it was normal. He also said I am by far not the only person coming in with these symptoms. It is the air pollution causing it. He sent me home with a bag full of 5 different prescriptions and I am supposed to see him again in a week for a follow up. I'm glad I didn't have to stay in the hospital. I would have hated that.

The pills are already beginning to work. Very little coughing now and hardly any phlegm. Still a little bit of both, but a very significant decrease, so his treatment is working and I will be ok.

The doctor said everyone experiencing any respiratory symptoms definitely should consult a pulmonary doctor. He said a bacterial infection has been present in many of these cases, including me, and if left untreated without the proper antibiotics, it can become a very serious problem. I did not have a fever.

I did ask him about air filters. He said that can help, but anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms should definitely see a doctor and find out if an infection is present. Folks, better to get yourself checked and right away rather than waiting around until you find yourself in serious medical trouble.

That tells me what I need to know. I'm glad I went and now I'm kicking myself for having waited for nearly three weeks. The appointment doesn't take very long and was much less expensive than I was expecting. Between the doctor's fee, the hospital fees. the X-ray, and the bag full of prescriptions, the whole thing was less than 5000 baht. I'm feeling better already, so money well spent.

[Jun]

Well I'm glad to hear you are recovering.

He said a bacterial infection has been present in many of these cases, including me, and if left untreated without the proper antibiotics, it can become a very serious problem.

Did they do tests to verify that?

In my instance, I think I had a light cold and the pollution helped to keep the coughing going far longer than normal. Anyway, with time plus the benefit of partly filtered air in my room and wearing a mask for some of the time when I'm out, I've recovered.

It is the air pollution causing it.

What's your plan to deal with the root cause?

[Gaybutton]

What's your plan to deal with the root cause?

To do exactly what the doctor tells me to do.