Understanding Why Thailand Failed to Tackle PM2.5 Microdust Particles

Two hundred rai of sugarcane field in Buriram province's Baan Dan district are destroyed by fire on January 25, 2025 after fire spread from a nearby sugarcane field which has harvested its produce already. (KHAOSOD Photo/Rueungruj Wangjam)

The blame game has intensified this week after Bangkok achieved the notoriety of being among the 10 most air-polluted major cities in the world for at least three days, according to the IQAir app.

Netizens blame some farmers for literally burning their agricultural fields, particularly sugarcane fields. In one audacious case in Nong Bua Lam Phu province earlier this week, a female farmer boasted her ‘accomplishment’ on Facebook and thanks her colleagues for helping her set the field on fire. She took a selfie, all beaming with smiles as if it’s New Year, with the backdrop of a bright red inferno field at night, as proof on FB.

Urban Thai netizens heavily criticized her, calling her selfish, ignorant, dumb, and even worse.

The female farmer later claims she wasn’t aware of such a ban and apologized.

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Whether she’s truly ignorant, selfish, or doesn’t know how to proceed with an alternative way of preparing the field for the next crop without burning it, is up for speculation. We can say, however, that the government should do more to impose the ban and facilitate alternative methods in preparing the field. The government failed, and these farmers failed.

But what about many urban Thai middle class, particularly male single drivers burning petrol? What about urban Thais burning candles during Loy Krathong, enjoying fireworks, and Thai-Chinese burning the offerings to their ancestors, not to mention setting off firecrackers? The lists can go on. Many urbanites who cursed and degraded that female farmer do not feel any reflexivity is needed.

Back to politics, former Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat said on Saturday that the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government should push to solve PM2.5 problems at ASEAN level (as some, if not many, of the field burnings are from our neighbouring countries). Pita added the government has also been slow in proceeding with the draft Clean Air Bill as well.

Yes, Pita was right, but then Pita, and the opposition People’s Party were too slow and too late in pressing the government on the issue as well. Such remarks should have been made three months ago, if not earlier, not while more than half the country is being filled with unhealthy dust.

Let’s face it, the opposition parties also failed, not just the government.

And let us not forget some big agro busineses operating in Thailand in neighbouring countries. The government need to ensure that they’re not contributing to the problem. Very little has been done, however.

In a twist of irony on the government’s move this week to exempt users of public buses and MRT trains from paying fares, a Facebook user noted yesterday that the unintended effect of such a method of trying to reduce the use of private vehicles was that poorer people leave home to ride on MRT for fun. They are thus exposed to outdoor PM2.5 microdust particles.

As for the press, we also failed to highlight the issue in a timely fashion, ahead of this seasonal hazardous haze. The press also failed to keep the issue alive when the rainy season arrived and PM2.5 is no longer breaking news. Highlighting  the problem now is too little too late.

As for the general public, there is also no single NGO which focuses on the issue, partly because it’s a seasonal issue.

Let’s face it, we all have failed collectively as a society.  We collectively failed ourselves, and each other, on the PM2.5 problem.

Many may know that this problem is seasonal and it might be more convenient to just wait it out indoors complete with air purifiers or migrate elsewhere temporarily if they can afford, and conveniently point a finger of blame at anyone but themselves for their failure to be part of the solution.

Mai pen rai, some may say. They will just improvise and adjust their lifestyle until the beginning of another rainy season.

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