Bangkok was ranked as the fourth worst city in the world for air quality last Friday, according to the latest data from Swiss-based IQAir, as toxic haze continues to impact the capital and surrounding provinces.
As of 9:40 AM, the air quality index in Bangkok reached a level of 188. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) declared 48 out of its 50 districts as red zones, indicating hazardous-to-health conditions, with average levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller (PM2.5) measuring 88.4 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
Nong Khaem district experienced the highest pollution, with PM2.5 levels reaching 108 µg/m³, followed by Khan Na Yao, Min Buri, Thawi Watthana, and Lak Si districts.
City officials have urged residents to work from home if possible and to limit outdoor activities to minimize health risks. The northern province of Chiang Mai is also facing pollution challenges, ranking 23rd with an air quality index level of 127 µg/m³.
The government has established a safe threshold of 37.5 µg/m³ for PM2.5. In Southeast Asia, only Ho Chi Minh City has worse air pollution than Bangkok, with other cities in the top 10 including Phnom Penh in fifth place and Hanoi in seventh.