Bangkok's children victims of nightmarish pollution

Children in Bangkok suffer daily from air pollution, constantly fighting against coughs and other respiratory diseases.

This air pollution worsens every year during the dry season, due to slash-and-burn agriculture and forest fires in Thailand and neighboring countries.

Students at Suan Lumphini School face the harsh reality of their environment every morning when they gather under the colored flags indicating the day's air quality:

A grueling routine where red signals the worst and blue the best.

Thailand faces disastrous air pollution levels every year, its cities are regularly ranked among the most polluted cities in the world.

Among the most vulnerable people, we find children, who are exposed to increased risks of long-term respiratory damage.

See also: Children bleeding from the nose due to air pollution in northern Thailand

Lalipthat Prakham, a maid, laments that her eight-year-old daughter has already fallen ill due to polluted air.

Despite the promises of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to tackle the problem, tangible solutions are slow to materialize.

Residents like Nanthnan Hajiub are direct witnesses to the consequences of pollution on their children, his 11-year-old son now suffering from a sporadic cough.

However, not all children suffer in the same way.

While Bangkok's elite private schools are equipped with air purifiers and filtration systems, public institutions like Suan Lumphini School have to fend for themselves.

In a glimmer of hope, Chulalongkorn University has launched a study on pollution, providing a white room equipped with purifying air conditioning units in schools located in highly polluted areas.

This initiative aims to mitigate some of the adverse effects on the health of students.

Protecting the health of children

Thai schoolchildren wear masks to protect themselves from air pollution. Photo: Thai PBS World

Suphatpong Anuchitsopapan, a school principal, highlights the urgency of the situation and advocates for better measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on students.

According to Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen of the School of Energy and Environment, University of Phayao, children are at increased risk due to their still-developing bodies and faster breathing rates, making them more vulnerable to pollutants.

The World Health Organization echoes these concerns, highlighting the serious risks that pollution poses to children's health and development.

While white rooms offer temporary relief, they are not a panacea against pollution.

The lack of concrete data on children hospitalized due to pollution highlights the severity of the problem.

At Suan Lumphini school, teacher Jiraporn Sukpraserd finds comfort in the white room of her classroom, recognizing her vital role in protecting the health of her young students.

However, for parents like Bounleua Boriharn, whose daughter does not benefit from the same protection, anxiety persists.

Bangkok is often shrouded in haze, her concern for her child's well-being intensifies.

Travelers can check IQAir website to plan their trip in the country avoiding hazardous areas.

See also:

Toxic smog in Thailand: the health of the population in danger

258 euros reward for denouncing arsonists in northern Thailand

Thailand adopts 7 new laws to combat air pollution

Source: The Thaiger