Bangkok, Governor Chatchat reveals that in 1 year, Bangkok has moved forward with more than 30 measures to reduce dust.
Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan, Governor of Bangkok Chaired the meeting of the committee to prevent and solve the problem of small dust particles (PM2.5) in Bangkok No. 1/2024, with Mr. Pornprom Vikitseth, advisor to the Governor of Bangkok. and sustainability executives of Bangkok along with the management team of related agencies
Governor Chatchat revealed after the meeting that Today is a meeting of the committee to prevent and solve the problem of small dust particles (PM2.5) in Bangkok. This committee has 40 directors from many sectors. Because the dust problem is a problem that no single agency is responsible for. But it is a shared responsibility of many agencies such as the Pollution Control Department, Disease Control Department, and Department of Land Transport. Department of Energy Business Public Relations Department State Railway of Thailand Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand,
various metropolitan areas. Thailand already has a national agenda regarding dust. Every department has carried out its duties. Today, each agency has come to report on what has been done.
As for Bangkok, it has operated within the framework of authority and duties. And additional information has been made about the source of PM2.5 dust, where it comes from, which has 3 parts: industrial plants, automobiles, and biomass burning. The main amount of dust generated in Bangkok comes from diesel cars. But during periods of high dust, the main cause is dust coming from outside Bangkok and surrounding areas. From the statistics of the detection of burning points Comparing between 1 – 31 January of 2023 and 2024, burning points were found in neighboring countries. In 2023, there were 25,856 points. In 2024, there were 49,983 points, an increase of 93%. Burning points in the country. The central and eastern regions in 2023 had 5,981 points, in 2024 there were 3,252 points, a 46% decrease in burning points in the coun
try. The Bangkok area in 2023 was 6 points, in 2024 it was 1 point, a decrease of 83%. In this matter, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment sent a letter to the ASEAN Secretary-General in early January and early February to ask countries in the region to jointly reduce the points. Heat (burning)
Regarding measures Bangkok has created measures to reduce dust for 365 days in more than 30 areas, such as “reducing black smoke” by eliminating the source of dust. Statistics from 1 Oct. 2022 – 5 Feb. 2024, black smoke was measured on 297,935 vehicles, 3,079 vehicles were ordered to be corrected, 12,380 establishments were inspected, 8 were ordered to be corrected, construction site inspections were ordered 5,111 times. Amending 34 places, which is part of the criteria for inspection of construction sites. If the criteria are not passed 3 times, the construction permit will be suspended. In addition, Bangkok has also joined with the Department of Land Transport. Went out to inspect the condition of priv
ate vehicle inspection stations (PRT) in the Bangkok area, a total of 118 places, found defects in 17 places, ordered to suspend service for 7 days in order to expedite corrections.
As for the measure “Improving White Smoke Cars”, BMA has created a project. “This car #reduces dust” to invite people to join in changing car air filters. Currently (from 18 Dec. ’23 to 29 Jan. ’24) there are a number of cars in the Bangkok area. The engine oil and filters of 168,442 cars have been changed, helping to reduce PM2.5 from the traffic sector by 8%. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and network partners have set a goal of changing the engine oil and filters of 300,000 cars by February. Believe it can be done If achieved, PM2.5 from traffic can be reduced by up to 15%. Therefore, we invite the public to play an important role in reducing PM2.5 emissions sustainably. Those interested in joining the project can see the engine oil change promotion at https://drive.google.com/file/d/16PCsZC-0oGlOQmLoFkUCmjF88fs2A4qN/
view?usp=sharing There is also a policy to change the oil to Euro 5 standards, which should improve the PM2.5 dust situation from the traffic sector in the long run.
Regarding measures to “reduce open burning” in the agricultural sector Bangkok has purchased a straw compactor for farmers in the Nong Chok, Min Buri, and Khan Na Yao areas to use in order to help reduce costs for farmers. and allows farmers to sell compressed straw for income as well. In the future, there may be further developments in the storage of compressed straw in order to obtain appropriate prices. For the remaining stubble, microorganisms are used to decompose it. Currently, there is a new microbial innovation that can reduce the decomposition time from 30 days to 7 days. Another measure is ‘Development of illegal garbage dumping areas’ using the Cleanliness Act To reduce the illegal burning of garbage in various areas.
For the dust management plan during the critical period Bangkok has a Work from Home (WFH) network of 136 locations w
ith a total of 53,545 employees. Such measures will begin when the dust level is forecast to be red or PM2.5 values ??greater than 75 micrograms/cubic meter for 3 consecutive days in 2 The case is 1. Red dust values ????in 15 districts (30% of the total number of districts in Bangkok) or 2. Red dust values ????in eastern Bangkok (Ton Lom) area 7 districts, which have not reached this level in the past and therefore have not been announced. WFH. The reason for WFH is to reduce dust from traffic. People are staying at home where they are likely to have better protection.
Governor Chatchat went on to say that in the past the Bangkok Metropolitan Council had issued an ordinance requiring all buses in Bangkok to be electric within 7 years, but the Council of State stated that The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration does not have authority in this area. It can be seen that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration does not have authority covering all aspects. Therefore, it must be carried out within the framework of
the powers that are available. The Bangkok Permanent Secretary also ordered district offices to consider adopting guidelines for declaring nuisance control areas and adapting them according to the situation. The district director will evaluate the situation under 3 conditions: 1. There is a nuisance. 2. There is more than one dust source. 3. It has an impact on public health. Before issuing an announcement regarding the designation of a nuisance control area To control activities/businesses in the area that may cause dust. which is in accordance with the Public Health Act
In terms of public health Bangkok has opened air pollution clinics in 8 Bangkok hospitals, including Central Hospital, Taksin Hospital, Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital. Luangphor Thaweesak Chutintharo Uthit Hospital, Wechakarunrat Hospital Lat Krabang Hospital, Bangkok Rajapipat Hospital and Sirindhorn Hospital, including coordinating a network to expand dust-free classrooms. 61 schools have been operated. Bangkok has kindergarten classroom
s in 429 schools, a total of 1,743 rooms, 697 with air conditioning, 1,046 without air conditioning, and including child care centers. (Bangkok Preschool Child Development Center) About 240 places now have air filters. The air conditioner is in the process of continuing.
Finally, there is cooperation with various government agencies, the private sector, academics, the media, civil society, and the public, such as the creation of this car project #reducedust, the WFH network, the dust detective network, the Breath Council, and the use of Traffy Fondue in Notification of incident
However, even though the cooperation situation has improved, in the end it depends on changing behavior. Because dust is caused by people If people don’t change their behavior, it will be difficult to reduce dust. There are two types of behavior change: motivation and force. (Policy/Law)
However, the current situation should start to improve because of the southerly wind blowing in. But in the future there may be more dust from agri
culture in the country. Must follow closely.
Source: Thai News Agency