2025 Bangkok smog
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| Date | 8 January – 24 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region |
| Type | Seasonal air pollution |
The 2025 Bangkok smog was an air pollution event affecting Central Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region from January to March 2025.[1][2]
Thailand faces persistent air pollution stemming from agricultural burning, industrial emissions, and transportation.[3] Air pollution levels in Bangkok have increased since 2019, following trends of increasing pollution in Northern Thailand.[4] Approximately 60% of the city's air pollution can be traced to transportation, with industrial emissions as the second largest contributor.[5] Agricultural emissions in nearby provinces is likewise a contributor.[6][5]
Thailand's national standards for PM2.5 air quality were revised in 2022 and 2023, to adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Target 3 (IT-3) of 37.5 μg/m3 and 15 μg/m3 for 24 hour and annual measures, respectively.[7][8][9] In 2023, over 10 million Thais sought treatment for air pollution-related illnesses.[10]
During annual smog in March 2023, Paetongtarn Shinawatra committed to addressing pollution while campaigning for the Pheu Thai Party.[11]
On 29 January 2025, a panel of medical experts held at Chulalongkorn University urged the government cut the current 24 hour pollution threshold of 37.5 μg/m3 to 15 μg/m3, in line with WHO guidelines.[5] These reductions could lead to a 44% decrease in cancer cases in Thailand.[5]
Smog
On 8 January, PM2.5 in Bangkok exceeded acceptable health standards, along with the neighboring provinces of Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Nakhon Pathom.[12]
On the morning of 24 January, PM2.5 reached concentrations of 108 μg per cubic metre.[13] According to Swiss-based IQAir, Bangkok was ranked as the city having the world's fourth worst air quality.[14]
On 26 January, greater Bangkok recorded orange levels of PM2.5.[15] Air quality exceeding safety standards in 38 districts in Bangkok, with districts categorized as yellow and orange zones.[16]
On 27 January, air quality slightly improved, with none of Bangkok's districts labeled as red.[17] Governor Chadchart Sittipunt attributed the improvement to strong winds.[17]
On 28 January, air quality continued to improve.[18] Average PM2.5 levels in Bangkok were 26 μg/m3, lower than Thailand's average.[18]
On 31 January, air quality deteriorated and exceeded the safety standard in most areas of the Bangkok metropolitan region.[19] The five districts most impacted were Nong Khaem, Phasi Charoen, Thawi Watthana, Taling Chan, and Khlong Sam Wa.[19]
On 1 February, air quality across all districts reached an orange level.[20]
On 2 February, 64 of Thailand's provinces recorded unsafe PM2.5 levels, including 17 recording red levels (hazardous to health).[21] Bangkok remained at orange level.[21]
On 11 and 12 February, greater Bangkok continued to record unsafe PM2.5 levels.[22][23][24]
On 21 March, Bangkok's air quality index was 141, making the city the eight most polluted in the world.[25]
On 24 March, all districts of Bangkok exceeded the safety standards.[26][27]