According to scientists, the Bangkok business lost more than B3 billion in January as a result of the severe economic crisis.
PUBLISHED: 25 Jan 2025 at 16: 28
More than five weeks of fire at Khao Chom Hae in Rayong have raised concerns about increased sand waste in the northeast Thai territory and above.
The fire has spread to over 20, 000 rai (7, 900 acres ) across the three regions of Nikhom Phatthana, Ban Chang and Muang, with about 30 % of the forest already burned.
The difficult terrain that forces local groups to climb up steep slopes to build firebreaks impedes firefighting efforts.
Volunteer vehicle Kittipong Bamrungphong, 57, said that while off-road cars are used to carry firefighters, they also face excursions to approach the incident.
Strong winds are also putting pressure on containment efforts, which is worrying about near houses. People are urging the use of aircraft to aid in the situation.
People who are advised to wear masks and limit outdoor activities are advised to have respiratory issues because of the wildfire’s increase in fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns ( PM2.5 ) in Rayong.
As of 4pm Saturday, the 24-hour average PM2.5 reading in Rayong was 80 microgrammes per cubic metre of air (µg/m³ ), according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ). Any reading above 37.5µg/m ³ is considered unhealthy. ( Story continues below )
On Saturday, a fire burns at Khao Chom Hae in Rayong territory. ( Photo: Ban Chang Facebook )
Meanwhile, Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch ) has estimated that worsening air pollution in Bangkok has cost the economy at least 3 billion baht this month.
The number includes expenses for protective masks and air purifiers, as well as medical expenses related to respiratory diseases. Although some companies gain from these expenses, they also represent an economic opportunity value because they cannot be used elsewhere.
KResearch added that it is still difficult to quantify the long-term effects of chronic health hazards, mental health issues, and relevance for the nation’s reputation as a gateway for business and tourism.
As of 4pm Saturday, 40 out of the 50 districts in Bangkok were red zones, with PM2.5 readings of 75µg/m ³ or more — twice the maximum level considered safe, according to Gistda.
Authorities in Bangkok started offering free public transportation for a year on Saturday in an effort to lower the number of private cars and reduce pollution.
On all public transportation systems and rail lines in the money, there are no charge trips. The citizens are expected to pay 140 million baht for the users ‘ reimbursement.