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Thai cabinet approves clean air bill

TB (summary) January 9, 2024 20:29

Thailand is one of the countries with serious air pollution levels, with the capital Bangkok and Chiang Mai city at times being on the list of the most polluted cities in the world.

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Dense smog covers Chiang Mai city, Thailand, April 11, 2023

On January 9, the Thai Cabinet approved a bill called the “Clean Air Act” to address poor air quality in the Southeast Asian country.

Thailand is among the countries with serious air pollution levels every year, with the capital Bangkok and Chiang Mai city (Northern Thailand) at times being listed as the most polluted cities in the world.

The pollution is believed to be caused by industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust fumes and smog from farmers burning straw from December to April, causing air quality to drop sharply around this time of year.

According to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, about 2 million people have sought medical treatment due to air pollution in the past year. Environmentalists have long called on Thai authorities to enact laws to tackle air pollution.

The Thai Space Technology and Geo-Informatics Development Agency said 48 out of 77 provinces in Thailand are covered in unsafe smog and 21 of these provinces are suffering from high levels of PM2.5 fine dust.

Since taking office after last year’s election, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to tackle the smog problem. Srettha is expected to travel to Chiang Mai this weekend to discuss the haze issue with local officials.

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Thai cabinet approves clean air bill