Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered public transport in Bangkok to be free for a week from 25-31 January in order to reduce soaring toxic smog.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told the media on Friday (24 January) that the Ministry received an order from the PM’s office to address PM 2.5 pollution, which has deteriorated in recent weeks.

High PM 2.5 is linked to several health problems. Long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and lung cancer.

The Transport Minister announced that Bangkok’s public transport, including BTS Skytrain, MRT, and public buses, will be free from 25 – 31 January.

The government will compensate operators, providing them with an amount equivalent to the income they would normally earn during regular operation. The compensation is estimated to be 140 million baht.

In addition, the Department of Land Transport was ordered to conduct inspections to measure black smoke emissions from public buses and trucks at eight locations across the capital to control vehicle pollution.

According to IQAir, Thailand has been experiencing unhealthy levels of PM 2.5 across the country in recent weeks. On 24 January, it reported that Bangkok ranked as the 8^th most air-polluted city worldwide, with an AQI of approximately 170.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is encouraging both private and public sectors to work from home. Over 300 schools across Bangkok were also closed to minimise health risks as air pollution reached unhealthy levels.