Bangkok will soon announce a new work-from-home (WFH) policy on Monday in response to the rising levels of air pollution affecting the capital and other regions of Thailand. This policy will also include the closure of schools and a ban on trucks with six or more wheels entering the city center, as reported by Bangkok Post.
On Sunday, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that while strong winds and favorable weather conditions had temporarily improved air quality, pollution levels are expected to rise again on Wednesday. As a result, the voluntary implementation of WFH is being considered to reduce traffic congestion, one of the main contributors to the high concentration of PM2.5 particles.
The Bangkok City Education Department has also designed a program to provide nearly 2,000 “dust-free classrooms” for kindergarten children. This program includes the installation of air conditioning, ventilation systems, and carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms.
The initial phase of the program will be implemented in 32 schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), with plans to expand to 437 schools. As part of this initiative, Fulfill Social Enterprise Limited Partnership has delivered 382 of the 405 planned air quality monitoring devices, with the remaining 17 devices in the process of delivery.
Pornprom Vikitsreth, advisor to the governor of Bangkok, added that an official announcement regarding the WFH policy could be made early next week if high PM2.5 levels persist alongside poor ventilation conditions. This policy is designed to allow sufficient time for the public and organizations to prepare for the adjustment.
In response to the issue, BMA has also urged residents to wear masks when outside, especially during periods of high PM2.5 levels, to protect themselves from dust exposure and reduce health risks.
Air Pollution Levels Rise in Thailand
On Sunday, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand reported that 16 out of the country's 77 provinces have PM2.5 levels above the safe threshold.
This represents an improvement compared to the previous Wednesday, when air pollution spread across much of Thailand, with only seven provinces reporting breathable air quality.
In Bangkok, vehicle emissions are one of the main contributors to the high levels of PM2.5, further exacerbated by a 20% increase in biomass burning compared to last year.
Working to Address Problems
The Bangkok City Government continues to implement strategic measures, including the Low Emission Zone project, which restricts six-wheeled or larger vehicles on the Ratchadaphisek Ring Road, except for electric vehicles, NGVs, and those meeting Euro 5-6 standards.
Approximately 12,000 vehicles on the Green List are still allowed, while drivers are encouraged to change their engine oil and filters, with a target of 500,000 vehicles, although only 200,000 have been achieved so far.
Academics are testing fog spraying along electric train tracks and flyover roads to reduce PM10 pollution, although the effectiveness on PM2.5 still requires scientific validation. At the national level, the government is tightening enforcement of illegal biomass burning, which has been controlled in Bangkok.
Governor Chadchart emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration, the application of technologies such as artificial rain, and active synergy with various stakeholders to effectively tackle PM2.5 pollution.
Recurring Problems
Air pollution in Thailand is a recurring issue that often impacts the tourism sector, including Bangkok, which has been affected by haze in previous years. In February 2024, a work-from-home (WFH) policy was implemented due to PM2.5 particle levels exceeding 15 times the World Health Organization's safe limit.
The WFH policy during this period involved 151 public and private networks, with a total of 60,279 participants. This initiative successfully reduced road traffic by nearly 10%, alleviating congestion and decreasing dust accumulation.
Air quality in Thailand often worsens at the beginning of the year, primarily due to stump burning by farmers, which exacerbates emissions from the industrial and transportation sectors. In 2024, Bangkok and Chiang Mai even ranked as the most polluted cities in the world.