Bangkok: PM2.5 dust levels are forecasted to remain above standard from January 25-27, 2025, with significant impacts anticipated in Bangkok and surrounding regions.
According to Thai News Agency, the Pollution Control Department predicts that PM2.5 levels will exceed the standard in several areas. The Pollution Control Communication Center reported that air quality assessments on January 25, 2025, revealed concerning PM2.5 concentrations, especially in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, with many zones reaching health-affecting levels. The central/western region, lower northern region, eastern region, and northeastern region also reported high PM2.5 levels in numerous provinces.
Specifically, data indicated PM2.5 measurements ranging from 14.1 to 91.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) in the northern region, 39.8 to 87.0 µg/m3 in the northeastern region, 32.5 to 106.9 µg/m3 in the central and western regions, 46.3 to 94.9 µg/m3 in the eastern region, 9.3 to 44.2 µg/m3 in the southern region, and 50.9 to 111.0 µg/m3 in Bangkok and its vicinity.
The department emphasizes that PM2.5 concentrations will likely continue to surpass the standard through January 27, 2025, particularly in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region and key areas like the Northeastern region, Lower Northern region, Eastern region, and Central/Western region. However, conditions are expected to improve after January 27, aided by improved ventilation, stronger winds, and favorable meteorological conditions.
Meteorological factors, including the persistent cold air mass over Thailand, contribute to dust particle retention. This stagnation, combined with low ventilation rates, temperature inversion near the surface, and a low air buoyancy ceiling, leads to significant dust accumulation in the atmosphere. Data from GISTDA highlighted 420 hotspots in the Northeast, East, Central/West, and Lower Northern regions on January 24, 2025.