Bangkok, GISDA reports PM2.5 measurement results this morning, finding 17 provinces in the northern, central and eastern regions. Air quality is beginning to have an impact on health or is at the orange level, with all districts in Bangkok orange. The Pollution Control Department predicts that over the next 7 days, dust accumulation is likely to decrease. Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation) by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) or GISTDA in collaboration with the National Research Council of Thailand Pollution Control Department Kasetsart University and Chiang Mai University reports the PM 2.5 dust situation on an hourly basis. With data from satellites through the "Dust Check" application at 8:00 a.m. on March 21, 2024, 17 provinces of the country were found. Dust values ??exceeding the standard in the orange level. that begin to affect health include: Bangkok, Samut Sak hon, Rayong, Chonburi, Samut Songkhram, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Mae Hong Son, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Chanthaburi, Trat For the Bangkok area this morning, PM2.5 dust values ??were found to be starting to affect health in all areas, with the first 5 being Pom Prap Sattru Phai at 69.5 micrograms/cubic meter. Lat Phrao 68.8 micrograms/cubic meter. Chom Thong 68.4 micrograms/cubic meter. Bang Phlat 68.4 micrograms/cubic meter. Wattana 68.4 micrograms/cubic meter. The "Dust Check" application also predicts the amount of PM 2.5 dust in the next 3 hours. It was found that many areas will have air quality values ??that are still starting to have an impact on health. Especially in the northern, upper, central and northeastern regions. The Pollution Control Department forecasts the dust situation. The next 7 days between 22 - 28 March 2024 are as follows: 17 northern provinces are likely to decrease on March 22-28, 2024, but still need to be monitor ed in some areas in Bangkok. and the surrounding area is likely to decrease on March 23-28, 2024, but still need to be monitored in some areas. The Northeastern region is likely to decrease between 25-28 March 2024. The eastern region continues to be good. But still need to be careful in some areas. The southern region is consistently good. GISDA reports the daily hot spot situation in Thailand in early March based on the automatic heat spot data display system from NASA FIRMS and GISTDA. The number of hot spots is still at a worrying level. With the total number of heat points throughout the country being more than 1,000 and likely to increase. Half of them were heat spots detected in the northern region. At the same time, the situation of small dust particles or PM 2.5 in early March 2024, according to the dust check application, found that Many provinces are still in the orange to red zone or are at a level that affects health. Especially the northern provinces As for the factors that cause the PM 2. 5 dust situation in early March 2024 in the northern region to be in the orange to red range, it was found that This corresponds to the factors of hot spots and local weather conditions where ventilation is low. GISDA compiles geospatial data from statistics dating back 10 years by considering the average number of hot spots and the average amount of small dust particles in Thailand and neighboring countries. It is found that During January to February The area with the highest average heat point is Northern part of Cambodia But the area found The area with the highest average amount of fine dust particles is Central area of ??Thailand During the following months, March to April. The area where the highest average heat point occurs is Northern part of Laos At the same time, the area with the highest average amount of fine dust covered both the northern region of Laos and the northern, central, and parts of the northeastern region of Thailand. From such characteristics, it can be estimated that Wind current s are the main cause of dust particles spreading to nearby areas. Due to weather factors such as closed air and drought that is occurring. It is the main cause that Thailand will still have to face the problem of small dust particles for a while. For dealing with small dust problems In addition to paying attention to hot spots or burning areas that occur in the area, Still need to closely monitor neighboring areas or neighboring countries. To understand the overall cause of the problem and bring corrective measures to the point. Mr. Chatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said: Thailand and Cambodia have a solution to the cross-border smog problem between them. Mr. Chatuporn chaired the Thai side in discussions with the Cambodian side in early March. The Thai agencies participating in the discussion include: Pollution Control Department Department of Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Royal Forest Department, and Department of East Asia The cross-b order smog situation between Thailand and Cambodia occurs during December - April every year. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment wants to coordinate closely with Cambodia. To jointly prevent and solve the cross-border smog problem. With awareness of taking care of and reducing the impact on the health of people in both countries As for the results of the meeting, the discussion concluded on ways to proceed together as follows: (1) determining coordination via Hotline between the 2 countries at 2 levels: the ministry level and the department level (2) participating in the joint action plan under the Clear Sky Strategy of Cambodia and the preparation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for additional environmental cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia (3) Scheduled to organize training on air quality management for Cambodian officials at the end of April to be organized by Thailand (4) Meeting of the working group to prevent and solve the cross-border haze problem between Thailand and Cambodia in April at the same time. Source: Thai News Agency