Bangkok and Chiang Mai have made it into the top 50 cities worldwide for small dust particle pollution, according to the latest data from Swiss-based IQAir.
As of 10:25am today (Oct 25), the Thai capital ranked 13th with an air quality index (AQI) of 101, despite having briefly been ranked 7th earlier in the day. Chiang Mai ranked 43rd with an AQI of 66, reports the Bangkok Post.
Bangkok remained under an orange alert for air quality, while the northern province was classified in the yellow zone, indicating a relatively better situation.
Delhi, India, held the position of the most polluted city globally, with an AQI of 287. In Southeast Asia, Hanoi in Vietnam ranked 4th worst with an index of 174.
Air quality monitoring primarily focuses on major cities.
In Bangkok, the highest levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) were found in Nong Khaem district, recording 53.1 microgrammes per cubic metre, followed by Sathon (49.8), Bangkok Yai (49.3), Bang Bon (47.9) and Phasi Charoen (45.3). The city’s average pollutant level stood at 35.5µg/m³.
Chiang Mai is still recovering from severe floods that disrupted daily activities, caused by heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Ping River. However, Bangkok appears to be safe from flooding, as the Royal Irrigation Department reported that water levels in key areas are currently below emergency thresholds.
“When the rain subsides, dust returns,” Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on the BMA’s Facebook page today.
City Hall is implementing measures to mitigate pollution from vehicles and construction activity, particularly targeting construction trucks, Mr Chadchart said.