On Monday morning, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported that 41 out of the 77 provinces in Thailand experienced unsafe levels of ultra-fine dust, specifically particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller in diameter (PM2.5). This was the highest number of affected provinces in the Central Plain region.
Over the past 24 hours, the levels of PM2.5 ranged from 38.1 to 112.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air, exceeding the government’s safe threshold of 37.5µg/m³. Three provinces, namely Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Nakhon Pathom, were even classified as having red-code levels of PM2.5, indicating a serious impact on health. The highest level recorded was 112.3µg/m³ in Samut Songkhram.
Additionally, 38 other provinces had orange-code levels of PM2.5, which signifies that the smog had started to affect health. These provinces included Ratchaburi, Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Uthai Thani, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Bangkok, Phichit, and Chachoengsao, among others.
Bangkok, the capital city, had an average PM2.5 level of 55µg/m³. Don Muang district recorded the highest level of 70µg/m³, followed by Laksi with 69.6µg/m³ and Nong Khaem with 62.3µg/m³.
Gistda also reported that on Sunday, there were 217 hotspots detected in Thailand, primarily in farmland. Additionally, neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam also had significant numbers of hotspots.
These findings indicate a concerning level of air pollution in many regions of Thailand, warranting attention and action to mitigate the risks to public health.
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