Air pollution has become a pressing challenge in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, where it has reached alarmingly dangerous levels. For weeks, many residents, including children, have been suffering from persistent coughs, a stark reminder of the deteriorating air quality. This crisis has significantly disrupted daily life, forcing families to adopt new routines. Parents now rush their children to school with masks, and outdoor activities like running are often postponed due to unsafe air quality levels.
The situation is dire, with Bangkok ranking as the fourth most polluted city globally this month. The shutdown of 352 schools across 31 districts underscores the severity of the problem. Parents are anxious about the long-term health impacts on their children, especially given the invisible nature of pollutants like PM2.5, which can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Despite advancements in pollution control, such measures are not being effectively implemented, leading to frustration among parents who had not envisioned such challenges for their children.
A recent UNICEF report highlights the tragic consequences of pollution, linking it to the deaths of 100 children under five daily in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. This underscores the urgent need for clean air as a fundamental human right. The physical effects of pollution are palpable, from the smog’s irritation in the throat to the visible haze that often shrouds the city, serving as a grim reminder of the silent threat to health.
In an effort to combat this crisis, the Thai government has employed an unconventional method with the “rainmaker” plane, which seeds clouds with icy water to induce rain. While this approach aims to reduce pollution by cooling the air and dispersing particles, its effectiveness remains uncertain. Critics argue that such measures are mere stopgaps and do not address the root causes of the problem.
The pollution crisis is multifaceted, involving agricultural burning, toxic traffic emissions, and transboundary haze from neighboring countries. Farmers, driven by economic pressures, resort to burning fields, contributing significantly to pollution. Meanwhile, traffic congestion exacerbates the issue, though the government has offered free public transport to mitigate it. International collaboration is crucial, as winds from China and India worsen the haze, arriving earlier and more intensely than before.
Addressing this crisis requires robust policies and enforcement. While the Thai government has introduced measures, including bans on crop burning, enforcement remains inconsistent. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has acknowledged the need for stronger actions, despite existing efforts. Learning from successes in China and Singapore, Thailand must adopt comprehensive strategies, involving both policy reforms and international cooperation, to effectively tackle its pollution challenge.
