On Thursday morning, 27 provinces, mostly in the North and the Northeast, experienced red ( seriously harmful ) levels of pollution. Fifty-four out of 77 provinces in Thailand were blanketed with hazardous levels of ultrafine dust.
The highest level of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter ( PM2.5 ) was discovered in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, at 128.8 microgrammes per cubic meter ( g/m3 ) of air, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ) at 11am on Thursday. While the World Health Organization ( WHO ) guidelines recommend 25 g/m3, the government’s safe threshold for PM2.5 is 37.5 g/m3.
After Chiang Mai’s worst level, Tak was followed by Mae Hong Son ( 113.8 ), Lamphun ( 111.1 ), Nan ( 108.8 ), Lampang ( 108.), Loei (91.), Phrae (90.), Nong Khai (90.), Udon Thani ( 81.), Uttaradit ( 81.), Bung Kan ( 81.), Maha Sarakham ( 78.), Nakhon Phanom ( 76.), Mukdahan ( 76.),
At 11 a.m. on Thursday, the Gistda map shows heavy levels of PM2.5 in purple, primarily in the north and the northeast.
Twenty-seven other provinces, primarily in the Central Plains, reported orange ( initially harmful ) PM2.5 levels. Si Sa Ket, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Uthai Thani, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Sa Kaeo, Lop Buri, Suphan Buri, Prachin Buri, Ang Thong, Saraburi, Trat, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Ayutthaya, Narathiwat, Chachoengsao
Bangkok, its adjacent regions, and a number of southern and eastern provinces were free of PM2.5 levels.
The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Thursday that from Friday through Sunday, heavy rain and windy gusts are expected in the north and northeast areas as well as the Central Plains, including Bangkok.