A smog covers most of Thailand, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safety thresholds in Bangkok and 45 provinces.
After the floods of the rainy season, here is the return of the annual smog of the cold or dry season, before the heatwaves of the hot season in April.
According to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), on Monday, December 1, levels of ultrafine dust reached dangerous levels in Bangkok and 45 provinces.
Dangerous PM2.5 pollution in 45 provinces
At 8 am, Gistda reported that dangerous levels of fine particles (PM2.5) varied between 39.4 and 60.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) of air in Bangkok and 45 provinces over the past 24 hours, mainly in the central plains, northeast, and north.
Thailand has 77 provinces, and the safety threshold set by the government for PM2.5 is 37.5 µg/m³ — more than double the WHO recommendation, which sets a maximum threshold of 15 µg/m³ over 24 hours.
The highest level recorded was 60.7 µg/m³ in Samut Sakhon, west of Bangkok.
Bangkok is choking: 50 districts above the threshold
In the capital, the average PM2.5 concentration rose to 53.6 µg/m³, up from 49.1 on Sunday afternoon, with all 50 districts reporting hazardous air.
Nong Khaem district again recorded the highest level in the capital, with 59.4 µg/m³, up from 53.4 previously.
The provinces most affected by smog
The other provinces with dangerous PM2.5 levels, in descending order, were:
Samut Songkhram, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Maha Sarakham, Samut Prakan, Bung Kan, Kalasin, Pathum Thani, Ratchaburi, Ang Thong, Roi Et, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Chachoengsao, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Kanchanaburi, Prachin Buri, Sing Buri, Rayong, Saraburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Phichit, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Uthai Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, Sakon Nakhon, Chai Nat, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Surin, Chanthaburi, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon and Sukhothai.
The few regions where the air remains breathable
Only eight provinces in the south and north had good air quality, with PM2.5 levels between 16 µg/m³ and 24.9 µg/m³.
They were, in ascending order:
Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Satun, Songkhla, Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat and Lampang.
The other provinces had moderate air quality.
They were:
Yala, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Lamphun, Krabi, Ranong, Amnat Charoen, Phangnga, Chiang Rai, Phatthalung, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Tak, Uttaradit, Trang, Loei, Ubon Ratchathani, Kamphaeng Phet, Pattani, Si Sa Ket and Mukdahan.
When will the situation improve?
The meteorological service has forecast poor air ventilation on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday.
Air ventilation is expected to be good from Wednesday to Saturday, as a high-pressure system will bring winds, it said.
- Persistent smog affects 45 Thai provinces, including Bangkok.
- PM2.5 levels are well above the safety threshold of 37.5 µg/m³.
- Only 8 provinces still have good air quality.
Source: Bangkok Post
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2 comments
I can't help but draw a parallel with the reaction of the authorities regarding floods and pollution alerts…
On the one hand, we are witnessing a discourse of the style "be careful, take shelter, leave your homes, you are going to be flooded for 2 to 3 weeks" and on the other "be careful, wear masks or better, stop breathing for 4 days, your air is polluted 10 times above the WHO standard… "
Apart from that, no mention of the causes of this pollution and possibly the location of industries that contribute to aggravating a pre-existing situation, nor of the economic and human factors that periodically intervene in this chronic Thai smog…
Does the government envisage a serious study and control of pollutant discharges from the most harmful industries in the country?
What measures is it taking to fight against the major pollution in Bangkok which originates from vehicles that circulate there by the millions every day?
What repressive measures are taken against repeat offenders for decades, bush and rice straw burning and corn crops?
When we see the inability and incompetence with which Thai officials responsible for air and water quality are handling the problem to improve the situation of rivers contaminated with arsenic and heavy metals in the North, we should not, as with the floods, expect the politicians who have these sectors in their portfolios to roll up their sleeves and rack their brains (is anyone there ???) to put in place sustainable and radical solutions…
And to think that just a few days ago, Bangkok was ranked 5th in the world as a city that you ABSOLUTELY have to visit at least once in your life!!!
After all this, and as the article says, while waiting for the next heatwave, the next floods, the next typhoons and other smogs that will follow throughout 2026, the Thai people are surprised by the decline in their economy, tourism, standard of living, the high number of certain cancers, security problems, and corruption, and other civil and military 'joys' that are likely to hit us in the coming months…
It's a global phenomenon in which many countries, from all continents, are finding themselves, with their specificities, and our European countries are not the last ones that need to prepare to take the hit!!!
As every year, governments are passive.