Over 20 districts in Thailand report PM2.5 air quality at orange level

With most districts experiencing moderate to high levels which are starting to affect health, citizens have been advised to wear a PM2.5 protective mask and limit time outdoors.

The Bangkok Air Quality Information Centre has reported over 20 districts in Thailand exceeding the standard level. In a Facebook post, the Bangkok Environment Bureau said the 12 most pressing PM2.5 readings by district are as follows: 

1. Pathum Wan – 49.9 µg/m³
2. Bang Rak – 46.3 µg/m³
3. Chatuchak – 44.1 µg/m³
4. Sathon – 43.2 µg/m³
5. Prawet – 42.8 µg/m³
6. Lat Krabang – 42.1 µg/m³
7. Ratchathewi – 42.0 µg/m³
8. Bang Sue – 41.2 µg/m³
9. Bang Kho Laem – 40.8 µg/m³
10. Nong Khaem – 40.1 µg/m³
11. Pom Prap Sattru Phai – 39.9 µg/m³
12. Thawi Watthana – 39.9 µg/m³

Here is a breakdown of the air quality across various areas in Bangkok: 

• Northern Bangkok
  31.9 - 44 µg/m³
  Overall: Moderate
• Eastern Bangkok
  31.4 - 43.9 µg/m³
  Overall: Beginning to have an impact on health
• Central Bangkok
  29.2 - 41.9 µg/m³
  Overall: Moderate
• Southern Bangkok
  27.7 - 50.9 µg/m³
  Overall: Beginning to have an impact on health
• Northern Thonburi
  31.5 - 39.6 µg/m³
  Overall: Moderate
• Southern Thonburi
  33.3 - 40.7 µg/m³
  Overall: Moderate

Citizens have been advised to take the following precautions:

• General public
  • Use personal protective equipment such as PM2.5 masks when going outdoors.
  • Limit the duration of strenuous outdoor activities or exercise.
  • Watch for unusual symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or eye irritation.
• Vulnerable groups
  • Use personal protective equipment such as PM2.5 masks when going outdoors.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities or exercise and follow your doctor’s advice.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms.

In attempts to address the PM2.5 pollution, the government has tightened controls on agricultural burning, setting a nationwide target to cut burned farmland by at least 15%. However, hotspot data from the 2025–2026 haze season continues to show persistently high levels of burning, largely driven by agricultural activity, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and coordinated enforcement in 2026 and beyond.

Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will lead monitoring efforts, using real-time satellite data to track burning in rice paddies, animal feed corn, and sugarcane plantations. Farmers who burn crop residues risk penalties, including loss of access to government assistance and the possible suspension or revocation of land-use rights.

Where burning is deemed unavoidable, authorities will regulate the practice through a registration system requiring prior approval via a government platform. At the same time, farmers are encouraged to divert crop residues to alternative uses such as biomass energy or industrial processing to reduce open fires in agricultural areas.

Additional measures include tighter restrictions on imports of agricultural products linked to burning, supported by traceability requirements, as well as the allocation of more than THB250mn to promote farming practices that eliminate burning.

READ MORE: Thailand's labour minister rolls out accelerated labour relief measures for disaster-hit southern provinces from Dec 2025 to May 2026

Lead image / AIRBKK