PUBLISHED: 4:00 on January 6, 2024.
The Department of Pollution Control predicts that Thailand’s annual haze period will begin earlier than usual due to higher rates of accumulated microdust in the environment.
In contrast to the north and northeast regions, which have good air quality, Preeyaporn Suwanaket, the department’s recently appointed chief, stated yesterday that the atmosphere in the capital and nearby provinces was moderate but also susceptible to affect health.
However, due to high heat stress, the air quality in Metropolitan Bangkok and the lower northeastern provinces is likely to worsen by following Friday.
According to her, the main sources of air pollution come from the capital’s heavy transportation and agricultural using in the regions surrounding it.
Between December 29 of last year and January 3, 2024, the department reported that there were 1, 207 hotspots in the nation, of which 38 % were found in paddy fields, 13 % on sugar cane farms, 6 % on corn farms and 11 % in forests.
She stated that the department, as the hub of communication to deal with air pollution, will work with related parties in every province to control sources of air pollutants and ban any open-air burning in order to prepare against hazardous fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns ( PM2.5 ).
She also emphasized that people really take care of their health by abiding by the Ministry of Public Health’s recommendations. The Air4thai program may send out updated atmosphere quality reports.
The deputy prime minister and minister of natural resources and the environment, Patcharawat Wongsuwan, will lead the government’s center for managing green air pollution.
According to Rachata Phisitbanakorn, his vice-minister, it will concentrate on reducing the number of bush fires in 10 regional reserved forests and 11 traditional forest areas, both of which have a history of doing so during the dry season.
To address the issue at its resources, he said, information on air pollution sources in each region will be sent to relevant authorities.
The government has attempted to improve people’s quality of life, which should include a right to clear heat, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told congress during the fiscal budget conversation.
The government is attempting to provide solutions to get burning, such as purchasing undesirable provides, using corn husks as manure, and using them as a source of renewable power, he continued, adding that PM2.5 is closely related to rooted farming practices.
He stated that the government will likely introduce the fresh air bill to parliament on January 11 and that it will involve provisions to raise taxes on imported crops from nearby nations where open-air burning is still legal.