Air pollution in and around Bangkok and in the north is predicted to worsen until Friday, due to poor air circulation caused by a cold air system over the northeast, according to the Air Pollution Communication Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
In contrast, air pollution in eastern provinces will improve steadily during the same period.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GITSDA) reported 490 hotspots (burning) today, including 171 in rice fields, 110 in forests, 44 in sugarcane plantations, 20 in corn fields, 73 in general farming areas and 72 elsewhere.
The amount of airborne dust already exceeds the standard (safe) level in Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai and Uttaradit.
In Chiang Mai province, authorities are now enforcing a ban on the burning of farm waste and other material until May 15.
