6 Strategies to Reduce PM2.5 in 2025
In 2024, the PM2.5 situation continues to be a significant concern, particularly in the northern regions and Bangkok. Air pollution from PM2.5 is a serious issue affecting public health, and the government has laid out six strategies to manage air pollution in 2025.
The air pollution problem, particularly PM2.5, has been a recurring issue in Thailand every year, significantly impacting public health. According to the IQAir air quality index, Bangkok’s PM2.5 levels are 3.2 times higher than the WHO’s annual air quality standard.
Recently, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) held a meeting on “Forecasting the PM2.5 Situation in Bangkok and Surrounding Areas and Preparing for 2025” at the Air Pollution Problem Solving Communication Center (APCPC) on October 21, 2024.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has also developed the “Measures to Address Wildfires, Haze, and Dust Particles in 2025.” The National Environmental Board has approved the measures and management mechanisms, which will be implemented at three levels: national, regional, and provincial.
6 Strategies to Reduce PM2.5 in 2025
1.Preparation Phase
Develop a risk map for burning areas, implement action plans for wildfire management at specific times, fuel management plans, and gather information on areas with high risk of burning crops and local farmers by province.
2.Managing Fires in Conservation and National Forests
Establish checkpoints, roadblocks, and monitoring points in high-risk areas. Use fire-fighting teams to manage fuels, restrict access to forests and related areas, and focus on non-burning practices in community forests and agricultural lands on state-owned land. Encourage diversification of crops to avoid monoculture farming.
3.Agricultural Area Management
Register farmers who need to use fire, and regulate fire management in agricultural areas only when necessary. Strictly control burning of sugarcane when entering factories. Those who violate will face legal action, lose state support benefits, and be denied access to land privileges from the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) and cooperatives. Additionally, support farmers in shifting to alternative production methods, and provide benefits for non-burning agricultural practices.
4.Dust Control in Urban Areas
Enforce a ban on large trucks entering the city during crises. Promote public transport by reducing fare rates and speeding up the transition to electric buses for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Monitor for black smoke from vehicles, trucks, and construction sites. Strictly enforce laws on factories and businesses, as well as penalizing those involved in illegal burning in communities and along roadsides.
5.Cross-Border Haze Management
Promote non-burning agricultural practices, discuss measures with neighboring countries before the haze season begins, and set up monitoring and command centers for fire control in neighboring countries.
6.Overall Management
Accelerate the allocation of central funds, offer benefits to the private sector, enhance law enforcement, declare areas with significant air pollution, and announce disaster relief zones for PM2.5 victims. Implement “Work From Home” policies, intensify public health measures, and improve communication and public outreach at national, provincial, and high-risk areas during crisis periods.
With all the measures outlined, it is hoped that PM2.5 levels will decrease in 2025 and that these strategies will lead to long-term improvements. To track the situation, you can use the Air4Thai app and follow the Air Pollution Problem Solving Communication Center’s Facebook page.
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