People living in the southwestern part of Bangkok, as well as Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi provinces, are advised to brace for increasing PM2.5 in the atmosphere on Thursday and Friday, due to the onset of a cold front from China, which will result to poor air circulation, according to Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Pollution Control Department.

He said that the air pollution, caused by PM2.5, will improve slightly tomorrow, thanks to the impact of the Vamco depression, which has weakened to a low pressure cell over Vietnam, but will improve air circulation and bring rain.

Air pollution this year is expected to be less serious than last year and earlier this year, due to a lower concentration of dust particles in the atmosphere, said Mr. Atthapol, adding that the Pollution Control Department has set a target of reducing dust particulate in the atmosphere by as much as 20%.

A centre to solve air pollution, under the supervision of the environment board, has been set up to coordinate with all relevant agencies and to communicate with the public, so they will have regular updates on air quality, said the director-general.

In the central plains and western region, the level of PM 2.5 in the atmosphere is still within safety limits, although several hotspots were detected in Chainat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri and Ang Thong provinces, due to the burning of farm waste.

Hotspots were also detected in Bung Karn, Nong Khai, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen provinces, resulting in an accumulation of dust particles in the air, said Mr. Siwach Pongpiachan, spokesman for the centre to solve the air pollution problem.