Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that she cannot make airborne pollution in Bangkok disappear by just snapping her fingers, but she has been fully aware of the problem since her first day in office and has instructed all ministries concerned to work harder to solve it.
Speaking to Thai reporters in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, she said that she has not ‘run away’ from the problem, by attending the World Economic Forum, but the meeting could not be postponed.
The prime minister disclosed that she discussed the problem with Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, while he was undergoing treatment in hospital, and he promised to do his best.
“Nobody likes the dust,” she said, adding that she is highly aware of the problem because her own children cannot play outdoors or attend class.
She insisted, however, that the pollution in Bangkok this year is less serious than it was last year.
Bangkok has been choked by excessive PM2.5 dust for the past several days, including today. The situation is so bad and potentially damaging to health that more than 300 schools have suspended classes and the city administration has sought cooperation from the private and public sectors by allowing their employees to work from home.
The government also ordered free use of urban train and bus services for seven days, starting today, to encourage people to stop using their cars, which will help reduce exhaust emissions.
