It’s dangerous to breathe in Bangkok, four other provinces
Air pollution in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son hit unsafe levels on Wednesday morning, the Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation reported.
Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), though the World Health Organisation sets it at 25 μg/m3.
Here are the PM2.5 per cubic metre readings in different parts of Thailand:
• North: 23-113μg/m3
• Northeast: 18-37μg/m3
• Central Region and West: 17-45μg/m3
• East: 12-34 μg/m3
• South: 8-28 μg/m3
• Bangkok and its vicinity: 33-73μg/m3
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Air Quality and Noise Management Division said air quality was unsafe in 10 districts of Bangkok and its vicinity. Samut Sakhon’s Muang district topped the list with 73μg/m3, followed by Bangkok's Bangkok Yai (61μg/m3) and Taling Chan districts (60μg/m3).
The PM2.5 situation can be followed on Air4Thai.com and bangkokairquality.com or via Air4Thai and AirBKK smartphone applications.