Only seven of Thailand’s 77 regions had safe air to breathe, and on Wednesday morning, most regions, including the money, were covered in red, dangerous fine sand.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ) reported at 8am on Wednesday that 39 provinces were shrouded with “red” hazardous-to-health levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter ( PM2.5 ).
The PM2.5 rates ranged from 76.5 to 143.1 microgrammes per square inch of weather over the past 24 hrs. The highest level was in Samut Sakhon province, followed by 133.2µg/m ³ in Pathum Thani, 129.4µg/m ³ in Bangkok, 128.6µg/m ³ in Nonthaburi and 125µg/m ³ in Ayutthaya.
Other regions facing the purple levels of dust, in a descending purchase, were Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Suphan Buri, Chai Nat, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kanchanaburi, Chaiyaphum, Prachin Buri, Phetchabun, Phichit, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaeo, Maha Sarakham, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, Kamphaeng Phet, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Loey and Buri Ram.
The government-set secure level is 3.7.5µg/m³.
Orange levels of PM2.5, which are the leves of fine particles that began to affect health, were present in 31 provinces. The rates ranged from 41.7 to 73.4µg/m³.
In a descending attempt, the provinces were Tak, Kalasin, Chanthaburi, Surin, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani, Sukhothai, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Phanom, Phatthalung, Yala, Trang, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun, Phuket, Songkhla, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Uttaradit, Trat, Bueng Kan, Krabi, Nan, Lamphun, Phrae, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga and Lampang.
Safe PM2.5 levels ranging 21.2 to 36.4µg/m ³ were in Phayao, Ranong, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son which recorded the lowest level.