Ultrafine dust levels were in the red ( hazardous-to-health ) in 46 out of the 77 provinces and in Greater Bangkok on Wednesday morning, with only 10 provinces reporting moderate to good air quality.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ) reported at 8am that particulate matter 2. 5 micrometres and less in size ( PM2. 5 ) was at red levels in 46 provinces and at orange ( starting to affect health ) levels in 21 provinces. Most were in the Central Plain, the Northeast and the East.
The highest levels of PM2. 5 recorded over the preceding 24 hrs was 151. 1 microgrammes per square metre of air in Samut Sakhon territory, followed by 125. 1µg/m ³ in Samut Songkhram, 121. 1 in Saraburi, 115. 7 in Phetchaburi, 111. 7 in Lop Buri, 110. 1 in Ratchaburi, 108 in Pathum Thani, 106. 5 in Nakhon Pathom, 106. 4 in Ayutthaya, 106. 2 in Kalasin, 105. 5 in Rayong, 104. 9 in Maha Sarakham, 102. 4 in Sa Kaeo, 102. 3 in Ang Thong, 101. 6 in Samut Prakan, 100. 1 in Sing Buri and Chon Buri and 100 in Bangkok.
The government-set secure level is 37. 5µg/m³.
Twenty-eight different regions were at two-digit purple levels of PM2. 5, ranging from 76. 6 to 98. 3µg/m³.
In descending attempt, they were Nonthaburi Chai Nat, Si Sa Ket, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chachoengsao, Suphan Buri, Roi Et, Surin, Buri Ram, Kanchanaburi, Nong Khai, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phetchabun, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Prachin Buri, Chaiyaphum, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Loei, Chanthaburi, Udon Thani, Yasothon and Sakon Nakhon.
Safe levels of PM2. 5 were recorded in 10 northern and southern regions.
Eight of them had average weather quality with golden levels of PM2. 5 ranging from 26 to 36. 4µg/m³.
In descending attempt, they were Lamphun, Phangnga, Ranong, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi and Chiang Rai.
Two regions had fine weather value ( natural levels of PM2. 5 ) namely Chiang Mai ( 20. 1µg/m³ ) and Mae Hong Son ( 16. 1 ).
Twenty-one other regions were shrouded with peach levels of PM2. 5 ranging from 38 to 74. 8µg/m³.
As of 10am on Wednesday, 103 universities in Bangkok had suspended onsite courses and switched to online learning due to the PM2. 5 waste issue, which is forecast to past until Friday, said Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt.
All 50 districts of Bangkok on Wednesday had a severe air quality concern, with five of them in a crucial situation, according to the data published by AirBKK, City Hall’s air quality monitoring company.
The government blamed the position on bad weather air in the money which was coupled with high traffic emissions resulting from a number of factors, including more congestion on internal Bangkok’s roads where flyovers are now closed as part of the construction of the Orange Line electric train.
And in an effort to prevent polluting trucks from entering inner Bangkok at the moment, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) is on Thursday to begin banning trucks which have not registered for permission to enter Bangkok’s low-emission zones.
A full of 259 surveillance cameras equipped with AI systems are to be used to find cars flouting the restrictions and tracing them to design sites that may also face legal action for causing waste, according to Mr Chadchart.
In the past test using these devices, it was found that about 2,500 such vehicles had entered inside Bangkok each day, while just about 400 of them had registered to provide places designated as low-emission areas, he said.
Violating the ban will lead to a maximum excellent of 2,000 ringgit and/or a maximum of one month’s prison, he said.
The BMA is also trying to contain carbon burning in Bangkok regions which has also exacerbated the air pollutants condition, said the government.
The BMA’s work-from-home campaign will also be extended up until Friday ( Jan 24 ) as the air quality is expected to begin improve on Saturday, he said.
This Gistda image shows rates of PM2. 5 in various colors in Thailand at 8am on Wednesday.