In an alarming response to deteriorating air quality, 194 schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority closed their doors by Thursday morning. This shutdown forced thousands of students to stay home as the city grapples with hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants. The World Health Organization advises that 24-hour average exposures to PM2.5 should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter, yet Bangkok's levels have surged to a staggering 122 micrograms. Authorities have taken measures to curb pollution by restricting six-wheel truck access in parts of the capital until late Friday, though these efforts have shown minimal impact.
More than 250 schools across Bangkok joined in closure due to pollution concerns, including 58 institutions under the Office of the Basic Education, a central government body. The decision to close schools in areas with heightened PM2.5 levels comes as clean air activists push for legislative action that may be realized later this year. The city’s struggle with seasonal air pollution is a long-standing issue, shared by many countries in the region, and has positioned Bangkok as the sixth most polluted major city globally on Thursday morning, according to IQAir.
"School closures should be a last resort," stated Severine Leonardi, UNICEF Thailand deputy representative.
Despite this, Bangkok authorities have encouraged residents to work from home this week. However, participation remains low with only 100,000 people registering for the voluntary scheme in a metropolis of 10 million inhabitants. Opposition politicians have criticized Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for what they perceive as a lack of urgency in addressing the severe air quality situation.
"While the prime minister is breathing fresh air in Switzerland as she tries to attract more investment to Thailand… millions of Thais are breathing polluted air into their lungs," declared Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party.
Activists and experts emphasize the need for comprehensive legislative solutions to tackle the multifaceted crisis afflicting the region.
"You really need comprehensive legislation on all the different dimensions of the crisis," asserted Guillaume Rachou, executive director at Save the Children Thailand.
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