Bangkok, January 16th, 2026
Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has issued an urgent call for Bangkok and nearby provinces to immediately suspend all forms of open burning, as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations have climbed to levels that pose significant risks to public health.
According to the PCD’s Air Pollution Communication Center (ศกพ.), PM2.5 readings in the Bangkok metropolitan area and surrounding regions exceeded national safety standards on Thursday, ranging from 38.5 to 98.3 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). These levels place much of the area in the “red” category, indicating a serious impact on health. The department noted that air quality remained largely unchanged from the previous day, but increased humidity has intensified haze and reduced visibility.
The pollution buildup is attributed to stagnant atmospheric conditions combined with variable wind patterns, including southerly winds blowing from the Gulf of Thailand. This has trapped pollutants and directed them toward downwind areas, severely affecting provinces including nearby Chonburi, home of The Pattaya News.
Authorities explained that ongoing open burning activities, particularly in agricultural areas, have worsened the situation, contributing to the surge in PM2.5.
Thai media reports, including those from sources aligned with the PCD’s announcements, confirm that PM2.5 levels across large parts of the country exceeded standards, with 46 provinces affected overall. In the central region, including Bangkok and its vicinity, the majority of monitoring stations recorded unhealthy readings.
The PCD has urged residents to take immediate protective measures:
– Avoid outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise.
– Wear N95 or equivalent protective masks when going outside.
– Follow health guidelines from the Ministry of Public Health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with respiratory conditions.
Local authorities have been instructed to intensify monitoring and strictly enforce controls on burning activities. This includes rapid response teams to suppress hotspots and penalties under existing laws, such as the Public Health Act, which can impose fines or imprisonment for unauthorized open burning.
The announcement aligns with broader government efforts to curb agricultural burning nationwide, including targets to reduce burned farmland and promote alternatives like biomass utilization. Despite these initiatives, persistent hotspots from crop residue burning continue to fuel seasonal haze episodes.
Residents are encouraged to monitor real-time air quality via the PCD’s Air4Thai website or app for the latest updates. Officials warn that without collective action to eliminate open burning and reduce emissions from traffic and industry, pollution levels may remain elevated in the coming days under current meteorological conditions.
This renewed call comes as Bangkok continues to grapple with recurring PM2.5 spikes at the start of 2026.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
