PUBLISHED : Feb 16, 2025 at 13:20
Bangkok recently recorded alarming levels of PM2.5 air pollution, peaking at noon on Sunday. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported that the air quality in Bangkok reached a disturbing level of 94.2 micrograms per cubic meter, marking the highest PM2.5 concentration in the country. This level is significantly above the government’s safety standard of 37.5µg/m³.
Adjacent provinces including Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan also experienced high pollution levels, with measurements of 84.8µg/m³ and 77.8µg/m³, respectively. These readings classify as hazardous to public health.
Conversely, residents in 14 southern provinces enjoyed better air quality, with 10 of these areas reporting PM2.5 levels ranging from 13.5 to 14.6µg/m³. The provinces with the best air quality included Chumphon, Phatthalung, Trang, Phangnga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Satun, Phuket, and Krabi.
In addition, four more provinces—Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala—recorded favorable air conditions with PM2.5 levels between 15.1 and 21.9µg/m³, while no regions reported moderate air quality.
Conversely, around sixty provinces fell into the orange category, indicating health impacts are beginning to occur. Areas affected include Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Loei, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nan, Nong Khai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surin, Tak, and Udon Thani.
The Gistda map reveals pollution hotspots in Thailand and neighboring regions as of noon on Sunday.
The Gistda map illustrates significant PM2.5 levels across northern, northeastern, central, and eastern Thailand at noon on Sunday.
