Bangkok’s Air Quality Improves as PM2.5 Levels Drop: Wildfires Worsen Pollution Up North

(CTN News) – Bangkok residents will benefit from improved air quality this week, with PM2.5 pollutant levels expected to fall in the coming days.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Air Quality Monitoring Centre, known as AirBKK, said PM2.5 concentrations in the city on Sunday (Feb 25) morning were below the 24-hour safe exposure level of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), ranging between 12.8-26.8.

The situation is projected to improve further by March 3, thanks to favourable airflow over the city.

No fire hotspots were found in Bangkok, indicating that wildfires have no direct impact on the city’s air quality improvement.

In contrast, the North and Northeast regions are bracing for increased air pollution due to ongoing wildfires.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported higher PM2.5 levels in 17 provinces, with Lamphun and Sukhothai having the highest concentrations.

The extensive fires, notably in provinces such as Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Phitsanulok, have caused harmful dust levels for most residents.

Difficult terrain has impeded firefighting efforts, with major hotspots found in Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai’s Hot District, as well as Muang and Pai districts in Mae Hong Son and Wang Thong districts in Phitsanulok.

In response to the worsening situation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul recently urged all province governors to combat wildfires and enforce farm burning restrictions to reduce air pollution.