Air quality in the capital during the annual haze season should be more manageable than in previous years, following the introduction of measures to control pollution caused by large vehicles, says the Bangkok governor.
Speaking at the launch of the "Green List Plus" campaign at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Chadchart Sittipunt said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is prepared for the haze season, which typically begins in December.
Mr Chadchart said he hopes Bangkok will experience fewer days when PM2.5 dust particles exceed the safe limit this year, after the city was declared a pollution control zone.
He said 10 measures have been introduced to tackle the problem, particularly in the transport sector. One prohibits the entry of six-wheel vehicles into all 50 districts, except those registered under the Green List, a scheme designed to regulate toxic emissions.
In addition, the BMA, in collaboration with automobile manufacturers, will launch a campaign encouraging car owners to clean their engines by offering discounts. The city expects around 500,000 vehicles to take part in the initiative.
The measures also lower the permissible opacity level for black smoke from diesel-run vehicles, from a maximum of 30% to 20%. Vehicles exceeding this limit will be banned from operating in the city. For the industrial sector, Mr Chadchart said boiler plants must install pollutant measuring equipment known as the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS).
He added Bangkok will seek cooperation from neighbouring provinces to curb burning activities in farmland, particularly in paddy and sugar cane fields. The city is also considering reinstating the "work from home" policy after last year's implementation reduced traffic by 14%.
Bangkok also plans to establish 1,966 anti-dust rooms for young children, about half of which have already been completed.
"Please have confidence in our measures. The city is expected to see improved air quality, with up to 15% fewer days of poor air compared with last year's 44 days of bad air quality," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin said he would invite governors of five neighbouring provinces to discuss measures to reduce farmland burning -- a major cause of haze pollution in the capital. He urged local administrative organisations to play a more proactive role in assisting farmers who wish to adopt alternatives to open burning.