Red zone alert as Bangkok faces hazardous air quality
Air quality in Bangkok has significantly worsened today, with four districts now classified as ‘Red zones’ due to dangerously high levels of PM2.5 pollution. The air quality has deteriorated since yesterday, with these areas experiencing levels that are considered hazardous to health.
According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Air Quality Information, Bang Rak, Pathumwan, Sathorn, and Chatuchak districts are all in the ‘Red zone,’ with the highest PM2.5 reading recorded at 88.2 µg/m³ in Bang Rak. Other areas in the Red zone have similarly concerning levels, with 64.6 µg/m³ in Pathumwan and 79.3 µg/m³ in Sathorn.
The overall city-wide average for PM2.5 today stands at 58.1 µg/m³, far exceeding the safe level of 37.5 µg/m³. In fact, PM2.5 levels exceed 50 µg/m³ in 50 areas of Bangkok, while the remaining 16 areas have pollution levels ranging between 39.1 µg/m³ and 49.7 µg/m³.
Thailand uses a colour-coded system to categorize air quality, where:
- Yellow represents moderate levels, which can be unhealthy for sensitive individuals.
- Orange indicates conditions that are unhealthy for everyone.
- Red signifies very unhealthy to hazardous air quality.
Poor air circulation is contributing to the persistent accumulation of PM2.5 dust particles in the atmosphere, making the situation even more concerning.
To stay informed, residents can monitor air quality updates using the AirBKK application, the BMA’s LINE ALERT service, or through their official websites and social media channels.
For those venturing outside, it is strongly advised to check the air quality before doing so and take necessary precautions to protect health.