Air quality in Bangkok has continued to improve due to strong winds, last Tuesday. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the Air Quality Information Center to check PM2.5 levels in the city.
As of Monday, there were no red zones in the capital, with some yellow and orange zones. Chadchart mentioned that although all 437 BMA schools are open, authorities must stay vigilant.
In a The Nation report, air quality forecasts show that favourable conditions are expected in the following days, although Wednesday and Thursday might decline.
The governor also expresses concerns on farm waste burning in countries bordering the country at the east, emphasizing the need to “closely monitor if wind patterns direct the resulting fine dust toward Bangkok”, the report continues.
The governor continues that Bangkokians should use their Air BKK application to monitor air quality, as the app shows the average 24-hour PM2.4 levels. Chadchart emphasizes that a 24-hour forecast provides more accurate and standardized representation of the air quality, as dust levels can fluctuate significantly.
BMA officials are also eyeing on black exhaust vehicles, stating that they will conduct unannounced checks on public buses, adding that such surprise inspections have been implemented at the start of the year. However, no heavy sanction or penalty can be applied to offenders as legal cases will require the involvement of the Department of Land Transport.
In addition, the BMA only has the authority to enforce measures on four-wheelers and they cannot stop vehicles from being used, other than “place stickers on non-compliant ones and require corrections within 30-days”, a limitation the administration is set to address.