Bangkok: The Bangkok Governor revealed that PM2.5 levels have improved, but monitoring is still necessary in January.
According to Thai News Agency, the Governor urged vehicle users to check their engines and change their engine oil, emphasizing that any bus found emitting black smoke will be immediately dispatched to the depot. The public is also encouraged to report any suspicious vehicles through the Traffy fondue app.
Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt addressed the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok after levels exceeded the standard over the past 2-3 days. He noted that recent stagnant weather conditions had contributed to the issue, but improvement was observed today. While hourly reports show better air quality, slight variations may exist when compared to 24-hour reports. He emphasized the importance of vigilance in vehicle use, black smoke emissions, regular oil changes, and burning in other provinces, predicting that air quality could worsen in January 2026 without continued efforts. Bangkok has coordinated with several provinces to tackle this issue, believing that improved conditions now could lead to better outcomes in January.
Mr. Chatchart highlighted that standards for black smoke detection have been raised threefold, leading to increased detection rates. He discussed sugarcane burning with the Ministry of Industry, noting a reduction compared to last year, which contributed to better air quality in December, with only 3-4 days of lower air quality observed. Additionally, work-from-home measures have been implemented alongside air pollution control efforts, resulting in an 8% reduction in traffic congestion with just one day of work-from-home arrangements compared to the previous month.
Regarding buses emitting black smoke, Mr. Chatchart appealed to the public to report sightings through the Traffy Fondue application for immediate inspection. Last year, over 500,000 buses were seized due to emissions violations, underscoring the importance of public cooperation in addressing this ongoing issue.