Environment ministry: The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment took the opportunity this past weekend to highlight its plan to tackle the problem of PM2.5, or particulate matter, in Bangkok and its vicinity, as well as in various provinces.
Aimed at creating good conditions for Thai people and the many visitors, the ministry’s strategies against dust particles are divided into immediate, medium-term, and long-term measures.
The immediate measures comprise an inspection of sources of pollution in Bangkok and five nearby provinces, provision of air quality monitoring equipment, strict controls on black carbon emissions, rainmaking operations, inspection of industrial plants, and the prohibition of outdoor burning.
The medium-term measures, to be implemented from 2019 to 2021, seek to minimize air pollution and reduce sources of pollution. They involve, for example, the upgrading of all locally made vehicles to meet the Euro 5 standard and the further development of public transport networks.
Meanwhile, long-term measures will be implemented from 2022 to 2024. They involve the improvement of pollution controls in new cars in accordance with the Euro 6 standard, promotion of the use of electric cars, and amendments to the Clean Air Act.
