Thai Population Faces Growing Health Concerns Amid Rising Air Pollution Levels
In the year 2023, it was reported that more than 10 million citizens of Thailand turned to medical treatment due to health conditions linked to poor air quality, according to information received from our sources. This indicates the gravity of the situation as the country struggles with escalating air pollution levels due to practices such as large-scale farming and the occurrence of forest fires, particularly in its northern regions.
An Uptick in Pollution-Induced Diseases
As the air quality deteriorates, there has been a noted rise in diseases associated with pollution, including lung cancer, bronchitis, asthma, and heart diseases. From our sources, an increase in such cases from approximately 1.3 million during the first nine weeks of 2023 to around 1.6 million in the early part of 2024 has been reported.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the country’s economic planning agency, has emphasized the need to focus on the public health impacts arising from PM2.5. These minuscule particles have the potential to infiltrate the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to a variety of health complications.
The Dry Session Worsens Air Quality
Thailand’s population, roughly estimated at 72 million, largely witnesses poor air quality, especially during the dry season, which extends from November to March. This decrease in air quality is largely exacerbated by widespread agricultural practices across the country.
Efforts to Tackle the Growing Air Pollution Issue
Among the prominent actions to combat this alarming environmental issue, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has committed to improving the air quality through various initiatives and legislative actions. Cloud seeding – a practice meant to trigger rainfall to help reduce the airborne dust particles – has made it to the list of measures implemented to handle the air pollution situation.
Apart from these steps, officials in Bangkok have suggested remote work as a potential method to minimize pollution exposure among the city’s residents. In response to the growing health issues, the city’s locals have initiated legal actions demanding that the government takes responsibility for reducing air pollution levels.
