Bangkok Implements ‘Work From Home’ as Dust Pollution Continues to Rise

ANTARA

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced the Work From Home (WFH) policy for February 15-16 due to the escalation of dust pollution with particulate matter smaller than or equal to 2.5 micrometers or PM2.5.

State agencies under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will implement WFH for two days and seek cooperation from a network of 151 entities with a total of 60,279 personnel. The government is also urging cooperation from the public and private sectors to enhance health protection measures against air pollution.

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Despite workers being asked to work from home, schools in the Bangkok area will continue to operate as usual as they are designated as safe zones with dust-free classrooms. Measures such as distributing masks and implementing guidelines against outdoor activities will be adhered to, depending on local government policies.

According to the Bangkok Air Quality Data Center, the PM2.5 level in Bangkok on February 14 at 11:00 exceeded 75 micrograms per cubic meter, reaching the red zone posing a health risk in 20 districts. In addition, there is an increasing trend and warning notifications have been issued.

In addition, the Pollution Control Department has forecast a worsening PM2.5 situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas between February 14-17. The Meteorological Department forecasts weak air circulation in Bangkok and surrounding areas on February 14-15, coupled with stagnant surface winds and resulting in increased dust concentrations.

Wind direction on February 14-15 is expected to be northeast and east, with Bangkok at the tail end of the wind path. In addition, a large number of hotspots were detected in the central and northeastern regions of Thailand (3,241 spots) and Cambodia (14,939 spots) between February 10-13.

Source: TNA/OANA

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