Air quality in Thailand’s capital worsens, prompting unprecedented school shutdowns and urgent government actions.
On Friday, January 24, Bangkok shut down 352 schools, marking the highest number of closures in five years due to hazardous air pollution. The government implemented a series of emergency measures, including free public transport for a week, to reduce congestion and mitigate the smog that has blanketed the city.
This pollution surge is attributed to a combination of seasonal weather patterns, such as cold, stagnant air, along with smoke from agricultural burning and emissions from vehicles. The air quality has deteriorated to the extent that more schools have closed than at any point since 2020.
Benjawan Suknae, a 61-year-old street vendor, shared her discomfort with the air quality: “It’s hard to breathe… I really feel the burn in my throat.” She voiced her support for the school closures, agreeing they could help reduce exposure for children.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration confirmed that the 352 affected schools represent over 80% of the capital’s educational institutions. This follows a previous closure of over 250 schools on Thursday as pollution worsened. Authorities have also advised residents to stay indoors and minimise travel.
The concentration of harmful PM2.5 particles reached 108 micrograms per cubic metre on Friday, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization’s safety recommendation of 15 micrograms per cubic metre for 24-hour exposure. As a result, Bangkok has become the seventh most polluted major city in the world.
In response, the Thai government has taken action, with Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul enforcing a ban on crop stubble burning, one of the major contributors to the pollution. Violators will face legal penalties. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced that public transport services, including the Skytrain, metro, and buses, would be free for the coming week to reduce the number of cars on the roads.
While Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, has called for even stricter measures, including halting construction activities and fostering regional cooperation to tackle cross-border pollution, the public has voiced its concern. Freelance worker Wisut Kitnarong, 59, suggested more robust work-from-home policies and heightened public awareness as potential solutions.
Similar air quality challenges are affecting other cities in Southeast Asia, with Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh also ranking among the most polluted locations, according to IQAir’s index.
