2025 Bangkok smog

Air pollution event in Thailand

2025 Bangkok smogDate| January 8, 2025 (2025-1-8)—Present

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Location| Central Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Type| Seasonal air pollution

The 2025 Bangkok smog is an ongoing air pollution event affecting Central Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region beginning in January 2025.[1][2]

## Background

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Main article: Environmental issues in Thailand § Air pollution

Thailand faces persistent air pollution stemming from agricultural burning, industrial emissions, and transportation.[3] Air pollution levels in Bangkok have increased since 2019, following trends of increasing pollution in Northern Thailand.[4] Approximately 60% of the city's air pollution can be traced to transportation, with industrial emissions as the second largest contributor.[5] Agricultural emissions in nearby provinces is likewise a contributor.[6][5]

Thailand's national standards for PM2.5 air quality were revised in 2022 and 2023, to adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Target 3 (IT-3) of 37.5 μg/m3 and 15 μg/m3 for 24 hour and annual measures, respectively.[7][8][9] In 2023, over 10 million Thais sought treatment for air pollution-related illnesses.[10]

During annual smog in March 2023, Paetongtarn Shinawatra committed to addressing pollution while campaigning for the Pheu Thai Party.[11]

On 29 January 2025, a panel of medical experts held at Chulalongkorn University urged the government cut the current 24 hour pollution threshold of 37.5 μg/m3 to 15 μg/m3, in line with WHO guidelines.[5] These reductions could lead to a 44% decrease in cancer cases in Thailand.[5]

## Smog

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On 8 January, PM2.5 in Bangkok exceeded acceptable health standards in Bangkok, along with neighboring provinces Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Nakhon Pathom.[12]

On the morning of 24 January, PM2.5 reached concentrations of 108 μg per cubic metre.[13] According to Swiss-based IQAir, Bangkok was ranked as the city having the world's fourth worst air quality.[14]

On 26 January, greater Bangkok recorded orange levels of PM2.5.[15] Air quality exceeding safety standards in 38 districts in Bangkok, with districts categorized as yellow and orange zones.[16]

On 27 January, air quality slightly improved, with none of Bangkok's districts labeled as red.[17] Governor Chadchart Sittipunt attributed the improvement to strong winds.[17]

On 28 January, air quality continued to improve.[18] Average PM2.5 levels in Bangkok were 26 μg/m3, lower than Thailand's average.[18]

On 31 January, air quality deteriorated and exceeded the safety standard in most areas of the Bangkok metropolitan region.[19] The five districts most impacted were Nong Khaem, Phasi Charoen, Thawi Watthana, Taling Chan, and Khlong Sam Wa.[19]

On 1 February, air quality across all districts reached an orange level.[20]

On 2 February, 64 of Thailand's provinces recorded unsafe PM2.5 levels, including 17 recording red levels (hazardous to health).[21] Bangkok remained at orange level.[21]

On 11 and 12 February, greater Bangkok continued to record unsafe PM2.5 levels.[22][23][24]

## Response

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### Cloud seeding

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On 9 January, the BMA announced it was seeking assistance from the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to conduct cloud seeding operations to reduce pollution in Bangkok.[25][26][27] Cloud seeding operations have continued through 27 January.[28]

### Work-from-home policy

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On Monday, 13 January, Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt announced a voluntary work-from home policy.[29][30] As of 23 January, 100,000 residents had registered for the scheme out of 10 million.[31]

### Dust free classrooms

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On 13 January, the city's education department announced plans to create nearly 2,000 "dust free classrooms" for students in kindergarten, including carbon dioxide monitors, ventilation systems, and air conditioning.[29]

### School closures

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On Tuesday, 21 January, 21 schools run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were closed.[32]

On Thursday, 23 January, over 250 schools in Bangkok were closed.

By Friday, 24 January, 352 of the 437 schools were closed, the highest number since 2020, when all schools under the BMA were closed due to pollution.[13][33]

On Monday, 27 January, all 437 of BMA administered schools were open.[17]

### Crop burning bans

[edit]

On Friday, 24 January, Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a ban on the intentional burning of leftover crops.[13] A nationwide burning ban was issued on 30 January that is to last until 3 February.[34]

### Vehicle emissions checkpoints

[edit]

On Friday, 24 January, the Ministry of Transport announced it had installed 8 checkpoints in Bangkok for vehicle emissions monitoring.[35] The checkpoints are operated by Pollution Control Department in conjunction with the Land Transport Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and traffic police.[36]

### Free Bangkok public transit

[edit]

On Friday, 24 January, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered that public transport in Bangkok would be free for a week starting 25 January until 31 January.[35] Operators including the Bangkok Transit System Plc (BTS Skytrain), Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company (MRT), and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (public buses) will be compensated with an approximately 140 million Baht from the central budget, according to Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit.[37]

The plan was criticized by Bhumjaithai MP Korrawee Prissananantakul, who characterized it as a waste of taxpayer money instead of asking the operators to provide free public transport.[37] Environmental experts likewise criticized the plan, noting the money would be better spent on purchasing air purifiers, and noted the government should have been able to anticipate the crisis in advance using modern technology.[37]

### Flight diversions

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On Sunday, January 26, airport visibility at Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang Airport was impacted by the smog.[38] Several flights were diverted to airports with better visibility, including a scheduled Emirates flight using an Airbus A380 that diverted from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang Airport due to heavy smog.[39] This marks the second time an A380 has landed at Don Mueang.

### Hospitality industry

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Hotels and hostels in Bangkok called on the government to address air quality pollution, noting the potential for a detrimental impact on tourism.[40] A spokesperson for the Sukosol Hotels urged the government to pass the Clean Air Act and enforce pollution control measures, while the President of Hostel Thailand Association noted that not all hostels can afford to adopt air purifying systems.[40]

### Criticism of the Shinawatra government

[edit]

Leader of the Opposition Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut criticized Prime Minister Shinawatra for attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland during the crisis.[41][42] Shinawatra returned to Thailand from Davos on 25 January.[43] Upon her arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, she was interviewed and emphasized the regional nature of air pollution in Southeast Asia, while acknowledging Thailand contributed to the problem.[43] The BMA opened public-health emergency response centre.[44]

## See also

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* Clean Air Act (Thailand)

## References

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1. ^ "Bangkokians urged to stay indoors until Friday amid rising pollution". nationthailand. 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
2. ^ Wipatayotin, Apinya (2025-01-21). "Health ministry to push work from home nationwide". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
3. ^ "Air pollution in Bangkok costing an estimated ฿3bn per month". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
4. ^ "Sugarcane's 'Black Snow' Is Worsening Bangkok's Air Pollution Crisis". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
5. ^ a b c d "Experts urge Thailand to halve PM2.5 safe limit to cut cancer cases". nationthailand. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
6. ^ Official, ThaiHealth (2018-12-25). "ชี้ฝุ่นจิ๋ว60%มาจากรถยนต์". สำนักงานกองทุนสนับสนุนการสร้างเสริมสุขภาพ (สสส.) (in Thai). Retrieved 2025-02-02.
7. ^ Archer, Diane; Bhatpuria, Dhyey; Nikam, Jaee; Taneepanichskul, Nutta. "Particulate matter pollution in central Bangkok: assessing outdoor workers' perceptions and exposure". Cities & Health. 0 (0): 1–19\. doi:10.1080/23748834.2024.2390274. ISSN 2374-8834.1-19&rft_id=info:doi/10.1080/23748834.2024.2390274&rft.issn=2374-8834&rft.aulast=Archer&rft.aufirst=Diane&rft.au=Bhatpuria,+Dhyey&rft.au=Nikam,+Jaee&rft.au=Taneepanichskul,+Nutta&rft_id=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23748834.2024.2390274#d1e227&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:2025+Bangkok+smog" class="Z3988">
8. ^ "Air pollution in most of Bangkok at Red level Friday". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
9. ^ "These are Bangkok's five most polluted areas as PM2.5 level rises". nationthailand. 2024-10-25. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
10. ^ "Thailand: 10 million sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses in 2023". 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
11. ^ Marks, Danny (2025-02-03). "Thailand chokes while promises fade". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
12. ^ "Air pollution exceeds health standard around Bangkok". nationthailand. 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
13. ^ a b c "Pollution-hit Bangkok closes hundreds of schools and offers free public transport". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 2025-01-24. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
14. ^ Reporters, Online (2025-01-24). "Bangkok ranked 4th among most polluted cities worldwide". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
15. ^ Reporters, Online (2025-01-26). "Unsafe air in 58 of 77 Thai provinces". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
16. ^ "Bangkok's air quality is currently in the yellow and orange zones". nationthailand. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
17. ^ a b c "Bangkok air quality improves slightly as strong winds disperse dust". nationthailand. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
18. ^ a b "PM2.5 levels moderate in all of Bangkok and surrounding areas". nationthailand. 2025-01-28. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
19. ^ a b "Bangkokians urged to wear facemasks as smog worsens". nationthailand. 2025-01-31. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
20. ^ Mail, Pattaya (2025-02-01). "Bangkok's air quality starts the month of love with an orange alert". Pattaya Mail. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
21. ^ a b Reporters, Online (2025-02-02). "Unsafe levels of smog in 64 of 77 Thai provinces". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
22. ^ Reporters, Online (2025-02-12). "Heaviest smog in Greater Bangkok". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
23. ^ Reporters, Online (2025-02-11). "Smog again covers much of Thailand". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
24. ^ "Bangkok PM2.5 today at "orange" level across all 50 districts". nationthailand. 2025-02-12. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
25. ^ "Cloud seeding to be started to ease air pollution in Bangkok". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
26. ^ "Bangkok employs rainmaking techniques to combat air pollution". nationthailand. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
27. ^ "Ice in the sky: Thailand's fight against air pollution". France 24. 2025-01-24. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
28. ^ "Rainmaking mission extended as Bangkok air quality improves slightly". nationthailand. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
29. ^ a b Wancharoen, Supoj (2025-01-13). "Bangkok unveils work-from-home policy amid air pollution". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
30. ^ "As smog shrouds Thailand, Bangkok tackles toxic air with remote work". South China Morning Post. 2025-01-13. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
31. ^ "More than 250 Bangkok schools close over air pollution". France 24. 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
32. ^ "Bangkok Urges People to Work From Home as Air Pollution Worsens". Bloomberg.com. 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
33. ^ AFP (2025-01-24). "Bangkok air pollution forces 352 schools to close". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
34. ^ Sattaburuth, Aekarach (2025-01-30). "Thailand imposes burning ban to curb PM2.5 pollution". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
35. ^ a b Reporters, Online (2025-01-24). "PM orders week of free public transport to combat PM2.5". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
36. ^ "Thai govt chooses not to declare PM2.5 disaster zones just yet". nationthailand. 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
37. ^ a b c "'Waste of money': Bangkok free public transport plan under fire". Bangkok Post. 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
38. ^ Mail, Pattaya (2025-01-26). "Thick dust disrupts flights at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports, diverting several planes". Pattaya Mail. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
39. ^ "EK374 (UAE374) Emirates Flight Tracking and History 25-Jan-2025 (DXB / OMDB-DMK / VTBD)". FlightAware. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
40. ^ a b Shoowong, Molpasorn (2025-01-29). "Hotels insist on government action to address PM2.5". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
41. ^ Sattaburuth, Aekarach (2025-01-23). "Parties trade barbs over pollution". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
42. ^ English, Khaosod (2025-01-26). "Air Pollution Becomes Political Battleground in Thailand". Retrieved 2025-01-26.
43. ^ a b "Paetongtarn addresses issue of air pollution". nationthailand. 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
44. ^ "BMA opens public-health emergency response centre amid PM2.5 smog". nationthailand. 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-01-26.