Bangkok is Covered in a Haze as the Thai capital is Choked by Pollution

February 3, 2023 Thailand Events & Announcements

BANGKOK: The King Power Mahanakhon Building’s outdoor observation deck in the city’s center offers a commanding view of Thailand’s capital at a height of 314 meters.

On Wednesday (Feb. 1), however, the view was obscured by a thick cloud as Bangkok’s air pollution reached dangerous levels.

With a high concentration of the dangerous air pollutant PM2.5, the Air Quality Index (AQI) measurement at 6pm was recorded at 166 on IQAir, a technology partner of the United Nations Environmental Programme.

A reading of the AQI above 100 is regarded as unhealthy, while a reading over 200 is regarded as very unhealthy. Typically, readings above 300 are regarded as dangerous.

On Wednesday night, Bangkok was ranked ninth out of 101 global cities with measured PM2.5 data in IQAir’s city pollution rankings.

One of the worst types of air pollution is PM2.5, which consists of microscopic particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (approximately 3% the diameter of a human hair). They can enter the lungs deeply and linger there for a long time or enter the bloodstream unchecked.

Chronic inhalation of these particles can cause cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and other illnesses.

However, the several tourists pictured posing on the translucent glass floor of the Mahanakhon Skywalk observation deck, up on the 78th floor, were unaffected by the smoggy Bangkok air.

The foggy aerial view of the skyline nonetheless gave them plenty of thrills.

Jinho Kim from South Korea remarked, “It’s a crazy experience in my life.

Despite the intense heat and poor visibility, the 25-year-old traveler was thrilled to visit the Mahanakhon Skywalk because he had never been on top of a tower.

According to him, there is a lot of air pollution in Korea. He added that he was unaffected by the poor air quality. “I notice,”

BAD AIR – MORE TO COME
The governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, issued a public health alert about the unclean air on Wednesday. He advised people to check their health and limit outdoor activities if they experience coughing, eye irritation, or breathing difficulties.

Young children, expectant mothers, and the elderly were among the vulnerable categories recommended to stay indoors or wear face masks that can filter out PM2.5.

Using public transportation and working from home are other recommendations made by Mr. Chadchart, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Public Relations Office (BMA).

According to BMA, sluggish weather conditions will cause terrible air quality in Bangkok and its neighboring provinces from Wednesday through Saturday.

“It is advised to cut back on or avoid outdoor activities, particularly in places where the air quality reaches levels that can or will damage health,” the statement continued.

On Wednesday, some tourists in Bangkok who were out and about could feel the city’s smoggy air.

Since coming in the city two days ago, Chen Hsuan-ting, a resident of Taiwan, told CNA that he has been experiencing allergy symptoms.

Through a face mask, the 22-year-old visitor said, “I can’t breathe well, and my eyes are itching.”

“I believe the pollution is too bad today, and I also have an allergy. This time when I visited Bangkok, my nose wasn’t doing so well.

Some were dissatisfied that the panoramic view of Bangkok was obscured by a thick grey cloud and that the air was polluted as they waited in line to take pictures on the glass floor of the Mahanakhon observation deck.

Sumontha Pirom, a Malaysian, stated, “I assumed we would come up and receive fresh air, but no, it’s not what I imagined.”

Suphastra Pirom, her sister, added, “It’s like you can’t see the skyscrapers and the structures very much due of the air pollution.

“It hurts my nose and makes me feel tired easily. I feel as though I had a mucus-filled cold. It’s sweltering.