Pollution and waste

Analysis of air quality in Bangkok since the Thai government began enforcing strict social isolation measures has found significant drop in dangerous pollution levels of more than 20 per cent, as compared with the same time last year.The average levels of PM2.5 – tiny atmospheric ...

Single-use plastic is making a comeback, as Thais order takeout and delivery in soaring volumes because of the pandemic.This was supposed to be the year Thailand started to phase out single-use plastic bags, in line with the government’s plastic waste reduction roadmap. At the start ...

Thailand’s Environment Institute (TEI) is raising awareness over contaminated plastics and medical waste accumulating daily. The Institute estimates that the amount of used surgical masks nearly reaches 1 million pieces a day.TEI president Wijarn Simachaya said the Covid-19 coronavirus disease not only harms public health ...

The website data show that Bangkok air quality index (AQI) had a PM2.5 level of only 53 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) on average. The AQI is a standard that indicates the level of air pollution. 100 AQI is considered ‘moderate’. The suburbs with the ...

Single-use plastic bags are making a comeback as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak.After their use was restricted at the start of the year, plastic bags can once again be seen littering the streets of greater Bangkok as people begin to rely on take-outs ...

Thailand will seek talks with Myanmar and Laos to lend strength to the fight against haze and smog pollution, according to Jatuporn Buruspat, the natural resources and environment permanent secretary.The government will seek cooperation from Myanmar and Laos authorities to jointly deal with the seasonal ...

Air pollution across the upper North remains at critical levels with authorities monitoring almost 400 active hotspots in Chiang Mai alone on Sunday. The air quality did not improve on Monday morning, with IQAir recording “very unhealthy” air quality and hazardous, ultra-fine PM2.5 dust levels ...

The bushfires that have been raging near the tourist city of Chiang Mai over the past few days are heightening concerns for both residents and the authorities with the risk they pose of extreme air pollution, coming on top of worries about the coronavirus.Keep reading ...

Severe smog was recorded at air quality monitoring stations in five upper northern provinces on Tuesday, the Department of Pollution Control (DPC) reported.The department reported that severe PM2.5 pollution was detected by eight air quality monitoring stations in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Mae Hong ...

The Department of Health has warned residents in Chiang Rai province that particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) in the air remains at hazardous levels.Department director-general Dr Panpimol Wipulakorn suggested that children, pregnant women, elderly and people with health conditions stay indoors ...