Bangkok PM2.5 hit orange level in 20 districts; dust may linger to Jan 16
Bangkok’s air quality centre reports PM2.5 at orange level in 20 districts on January 12, with Pathum Wan the highest, and warns poor ventilation could keep pollution building until January 16.
Bangkok’s Air Quality Information Centre reported PM2.5 pollution in the capital at 07:00 on Monday, January 12, 2026, with 20 areas exceeding the standard at the orange level.
The Bangkok-wide average was 36.5 µg/m³, against the standard of 37.5 µg/m³, placing overall air quality in the moderate range.
Top 12 PM2.5 readings by district
- Pathum Wan – 49.9 µg/m³
- Bang Rak – 46.3 µg/m³
- Chatuchak – 44.1 µg/m³
- Sathon – 43.2 µg/m³
- Prawet – 42.8 µg/m³
- Lat Krabang – 42.1 µg/m³
- Ratchathewi – 42.0 µg/m³
- Bang Sue – 41.2 µg/m³
- Bang Kho Laem – 40.8 µg/m³
- Nong Khaem – 40.1 µg/m³
- Pom Prap Sattru Phai – 39.9 µg/m³
- Thawi Watthana – 39.9 µg/m³
Health advice
- General public: Wear a PM2.5 mask when outdoors, and limit time spent on strenuous outdoor activities or exercise. Watch for symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulty, or eye irritation.
- At-risk groups: Wear a PM2.5 mask when outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Follow medical advice, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms occur.
Forecast: dust build-up likely until Jan 16
- January 12-16: Ventilation is expected to be poor/weak, with a “closed” near-surface atmosphere, so PM2.5 concentrations are likely to accumulate.
- January 17-18: Ventilation remains weak, but southerly winds from the Gulf of Thailand may help pollution levels ease. Today is forecast to be cool, with light morning fog.
The centre also reported that satellite hotspot checks using NASA data found no abnormal heat-detected hotspots in the Bangkok area.
