Bangkok air to improve, but North faces worsening pollution

PM2.5 dust levels in the atmosphere across most northern, central and western provinces of Thailand have exceeded the acceptable level of 37.5µg/m³, the Air Pollution Response Communication Centre at the Pollution Control Department reported at 7am today.

In the North, 31 areas were found to have excessive PM2.5 levels, 22 of which have reached health-threatening levels, with readings between 54.2 and 201.1µg/m³. The five most polluted areas are:

Wiang Tai sub-district in Pai district, Mae Hong Son, 201.1µg/m³

Wiang sub-district in Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai, 190.5µg/m³

Wiang Phang Kham sub-district in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, 188.3µg/m³

Huai Khon sub-district in Chaloem Phra Kiat district, Nan, 175.1µg/m³

Wiang sub-district in Mueang district, Chiang Rai, 156.6µg/m³

In the Northeast, PM2.5 levels range from 30.6 to 190.1µg/m³, while in the Central region and the West, levels range from 30.5 to 91.6µg/m³.

Air quality in the East, however, is moderate, with PM2.5 levels ranging from 17.8 to 33.9µg/m³, while air quality in the South is rated very good, with levels between 13.0 and 27.5µg/m³.

PM2.5 levels in Bangkok and its suburbs range from 25.0 to 42.0µg/m³, with only four areas exceeding acceptable levels.

Over the next seven days, the centre forecasts improving air quality in Bangkok and its suburbs, except in a few areas under close watch.

Meanwhile, air quality in northern, western and central provinces is forecast to deteriorate further.