BANGKOK – In response to rising PM2.5 pollution levels, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior, led by Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has directed provincial authorities and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to ramp up efforts to safeguard public health. Affected regions, including northern, northeastern, and central Thailand, along with Bangkok, have been instructed to implement strict measures to address the air quality crisis.
Key initiatives include controlling agricultural burning, prohibiting open fires, and strengthening enforcement through local leaders and authorities. Public health agencies are playing a pivotal role by distributing masks, establishing clean-air zones, and operating pollution clinics. Special awareness campaigns are targeting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses, providing guidance to minimize exposure to hazardous air.
Bangkok has taken additional steps to curb pollution. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has designated nuisance-control zones for areas recording PM2.5 levels exceeding 75 micrograms per cubic meter for three consecutive days. Measures in these zones include banning high-emission diesel vehicles, enforcing dust-control rules at construction sites, and halting open burning. Violators of these regulations face fines of up to 25,000 baht, prison terms of up to three months, or both.
The government has also focused on mitigating emissions during the Lunar New Year celebrations, encouraging practices like using smokeless incense and online offerings to reduce air pollution and fire hazards.
To further address the issue, authorities have temporarily waived public transportation fares to encourage commuters to shift from private vehicles to public transit. The initiative has shown immediate results: on January 25, the first day of free travel, urban rail services recorded 1.63 million trips, reflecting a 45% rise compared to typical weekend usage. Rail lines such as the Gold, Yellow, and Pink routes saw the largest increase, while intercity rail services also reported significant growth.
These coordinated efforts underline the government’s commitment to improving air quality and protecting public health amid the ongoing pollution crisis.
