Bangkok enshrouded in toxic air

An unhealthy level of air pollution covered 14 areas of Greater Bangkok this morning, according to the country's Pollution Control Department due to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5).

Bangkok residents woke up to see a cloud of small dust in the heart of the capital, including Pathum Wan, Din Daeng, and sections of Lat Phra road.

Levels of 42-66 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) were found in 14 areas. Thailand's official safety limit is 50µg/m3, double the World Health Organisation's 25µg/m3. Bangkok was also ranked the second highest after Hanoi on Monday for the pollution, according to the air quality and pollution city ranking as reported by airvisual.com.

The Pollution Control Department reported high air pollution counts in the following areas: Kanchanaphisek Rd Bang Khun Thian Bangkok, Rama IV Rd. Khet Pathum Wan Bangkok, Intarapitak Rd. Khet Thon Buri Bangkok, Lat Phrao Rd. Khet Wang Thonglang Bangkok, Din Daeng Rd. Khet Din Daeng Bangkok, Pubpla Khet Wang Thonglang Bangkok, Mueang Nakhon Pathom, Bang Krua Bang Kruai Nonthaburi, Bang Phut Pak Kret Nonthaburi, Khlong Nueng Khlong Luang Pathum Thani, Song Kanong Phra Pradaeng Samut Prakan, Pak Nam Meuang Samut Prakan, Om Noi Krathum Baen Samut Sakhon and Maha Chai Mueang Samut Sakhon.

Copyright: The Nation/ Asia News Network