Bangkok Governor Seeks New Powers as PM2.5 Set to Surge

Bangkok
A student wearing face masks on a pedestrian overpass with visible smog in Bangkok on January 24, 2025.(KHAOSOD Photo/Yokin Charoenying)

BANGKOK — Chadchart Sittipunt, the Bangkok Governor, has called for expanded legal authority to combat air pollution as the capital braces for worsening PM2.5 levels in the coming week.

Despite recent improvements in air quality, the Bangkok Air Quality Information Center forecast on January 29 warns of deteriorating conditions from January 30 to February 5, prompting urgent calls for action.

“We have submitted 11 proposals to the government on air pollution as these issues do not fall under Bangkok’s jurisdiction,” Chadchart said. The proposals include declaring Bangkok a clean air zone and accessing the Environmental Quality Promotion Fund for improved pollution control systems.

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Chadchart Sittipunt, the Bangkok Governor

The governor highlighted several limitations in the city’s current authority, including inability to relocate the Khlong Toei Port, which generates about 2 million truck trips annually, and lack of power to regulate Bangkok’s 13 million aging vehicles.

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“Some people complain about the many dark-smoking buses and trucks on the roads. The problem is that the authorities in Bangkok lack the enforcement power to remove them. We can inspect four-wheeled vehicles and issue a 30-day repair notice, but we can’t penalize larger vehicles because the Ministry of Land Transport is responsible. We need more cooperation with the transportation authorities to enforce stricter regulations,” explains Chadchart.

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A cat walks on a street with smog visible in the background in Bangkok on January 24, 2025. (KHAOSOD Photo/Yokin Charoenying)

To effectively tackle air pollution, Chadchart has made several requests for additional legal powers, including:

  1. Power to levy environmental taxes
  2. Power to lower vehicle emission opacity limits – Bangkok authorities have determined that even vehicles emitting 10% white smoke should be considered non-compliant, but changes require approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
  3. Stricter enforcement of measures against smoking vehicles – Bangkok can only issue warnings and repair orders, limiting immediate action.
  4. Powers under the Land Transport Act – Bangkok’s officials do not currently have the power to regulate public transportation, including the requirement to convert public buses to electric vehicles— – a power that lies with the Ministry of Land Transport.
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Many people use the electric train service that the government has made free for 7 days until January 31, 2025, hoping to alleviate PM2.5 dust pollution. (KHAOSOD Photo/Yokin Charoenying)

The city has already implemented some measures, including a Low Emission Zone within the Ratchadaphisek Ring Road and work-from-home initiatives that have engaged 100,000 participants this year. Officials aim to double this number and expand monitoring networks to include schools.

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The Bangkok Air Quality Information Center has forecast air pollution in Bangkok for the next seven days. Between January 29 and February 3, 2025, weather conditions will be unfavorable for air circulation, with a sustained temperature inversion at high altitude limiting the spread of pollutants. As a result, PM2.5 levels are expected to remain stable or increase during this period.

Health authorities advise residents to wear masks outdoors, limit outdoor activities, and report smoking vehicles through the Traffy Fondue app or the 199 hotline during the expected surge in pollution levels.

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