Fifty-three areas of Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are experiencing air pollution today (Tuesday), with the amount of PM2.5 dust exceeding the standard 50-micron level, with the level on Lat Phrao road the worst, according to the Pollution Control Department’s air4thai website.

The department said that the air quality in and around Bangkok today is considered to be between moderate and a level that may pose health problems, with the amount of PM 2.5 being measured at between 39 and 74 microns, including 52 areas where the amounts of PM2.5 dust have exceeded 50 microns.

Areas with PM2.5 exceeding 70 microns include:
• Khlong Thawee Wattana in Thawee Wattana district, 73 microns
• Phet Kasem Road in Phasi Charoen district, 71 microns
• Ma Charoen – Phet Kasem 81 Road in Nong Khaem district, 73 microns
• Lat Phrao Soi 95 in Wang Thong Lang district, 74 microns

Dust particles, not exceeding 10 microns, were measured at between 60 and 131 microns on Kanchanapisek, Rat Burana and Phutthamonthon 1 roads.

The Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation, meanwhile, is urging people in and around Bangkok to avoid outdoor activities and to refrain from burning any waste in the open. Those who are at risk should not leave their houses, unless they have checked the air quality first.

High-levels of PM2.5 are common in Thailand during the cooler months from December to February.