Bangkok pollution 'at crisis level' as planes trigger rain

The Thai government is using planes carrying chemicals to start rainfall and water cannon to clear the dust.

By Siobhan Robbins, Southeast Asia correspondent

Saturday 19 January 2019 10:11, UK

Bangkok's pollution is at crisis level
Image: Bangkok's pollution is at crisis level
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Doctors in Thailand are warning Bangkok could face a pollution health crisis if it does not address its smog problem.

On several occasions this week hazardous dust particles known as PM 2.5 reached unsafe levels in 30 of the city's 50 districts.

The government has been using water cannon to try to clear the dust, while planes carrying chemicals were sent on cloud seeding missions designed to trigger rain.

The government is using water cannons to try to dissipate the dust
Image: The government is using water cannon to try to dissipate the dust
Planes are being used to distribute chemicals which will trigger rain to clear the pollution
Image: Planes are being used to distribute chemicals which will trigger rain to clear the pollution

Tuk-tuk driver Suriya Umalee, 37, has lived in Bangkok for the last decade and said this is the worst the smog has ever been.

He told Sky News: "The air is bad because there are lots of cars and a lot of building work. I feel sick."

PM 2.5 is a mixture of liquid droplets and solid particles that can include dust, soot and smoke. The microscopic particles can cause lung and cardiovascular problems.

Tuk-tuk driver Suriya Umalee said it is the worst smog he's ever seen
Image: Tuk-tuk driver Suriya Umalee said it is the worst smog he's ever seen

This week, authorities have handed out more than 10,000 face masks to try to protect residents.

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However, the Medical Council of Thailand said figures show respiratory disease in Bangkok has been rising since August.

Professor Nitipatana Chierakul, a respiratory consultant at Siriraj Hospital, warned many more people would become ill if the pollution was not addressed.

Professor Nitipatana Chierakul said many more people would become ill if the pollution is not tackled
Image: Professor Nitipatana Chierakul said many more people would become ill if the pollution is not tackled
Respiratory diseases in the Thai capital have been rising since August
Image: Respiratory diseases in the Thai capital have been rising since August

"In my opinion it [the pollution problem] is a warning shot for a crisis in the next two to three years if we do not have an action plan in place," he said.

Environmental campaigners and residents living in the most affected areas have filed a petition with the city's administrative court demanding the government take immediate action and make Bangkok a pollution-free zone.

Srisuwan Janya, chairman of Stop Global Warming Association, said: "The pollution problem in Bangkok is at crisis level at the moment.

"We have various laws but the government agencies do not enforce them so people are lax at following the rules."

More people are getting asthma because of the smog
Image: More people are getting asthma because of the smog

The Department of Pollution Control say diesel fumes from cars contribute 50-60% of the pollution while burning rubbish, while crops attributed about 35%.

The government has banned large trucks from entering downtown Bangkok during the rush hours, while police have vowed to enforce the law on emission controls.

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