Smog has covered Bangkok in recent weeks (Photo: AFP/VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Airpollution has forced the suspension of classes at private schools acrossBangkok this week, though the Pollution Control Department (PCD) on January 23reported fewer areas with unsafe levels of PM2.5 – airborne particulates 2.5microns in diameter and smaller.
Kindergarten to secondary students inmany districts in Bangkok, including Bang Khun Thien, Nong Khaem and ThawiWattana, are on unscheduled holiday through January 25 after the PM2.5 leveltopped 90 micrograms per cubic metre of air on January 22, much higher than thesafety limit of 50.
The Education Ministry has issued nodirectives about temporary school closures, leaving it to the discretion ofadministrators.
If the PM2.5 amount is high in theirareas, schools may suspend classes and activities, said Thailand’s PublicHealth Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn on January 23.
However, Piyasakol said the ministryhad no plan to order blanket closures, adding the dust amount fluctuates allthe time. Forecasts are not accurate either because wind is a factor, he noted.
Feeble winds and a lack ofprecipitation were blamed for the poor air quality in five of the six metroprovinces including Bangkok, leading to talk of cracking down on vehicleemissions.
The Bangkok MetropolitanAdministration said it will purchase more green buses that use a cleanerbio-diesel blend. Police have set up 20 checkpoints to prevent large trucksfrom entering Bangkok in rush hours.-VNA
Kindergarten to secondary students inmany districts in Bangkok, including Bang Khun Thien, Nong Khaem and ThawiWattana, are on unscheduled holiday through January 25 after the PM2.5 leveltopped 90 micrograms per cubic metre of air on January 22, much higher than thesafety limit of 50.
The Education Ministry has issued nodirectives about temporary school closures, leaving it to the discretion ofadministrators.
If the PM2.5 amount is high in theirareas, schools may suspend classes and activities, said Thailand’s PublicHealth Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn on January 23.
However, Piyasakol said the ministryhad no plan to order blanket closures, adding the dust amount fluctuates allthe time. Forecasts are not accurate either because wind is a factor, he noted.
Feeble winds and a lack ofprecipitation were blamed for the poor air quality in five of the six metroprovinces including Bangkok, leading to talk of cracking down on vehicleemissions.
The Bangkok MetropolitanAdministration said it will purchase more green buses that use a cleanerbio-diesel blend. Police have set up 20 checkpoints to prevent large trucksfrom entering Bangkok in rush hours.-VNA
VNA
