In the vibrant and bustling centre of Bangkok, PM 2.5 readings are soaring to hazardous levels. The city’s most vulnerable residents, the homeless, are left exposed. Living their lives on the streets, their already precarious health is exacerbated by the pollution. Despite promises of action to control pollution, the air quality crisis shows no sign of abating. 

The Chiang Mai Administrative Court ruled on Friday (19 January) that the Prime Minister and the National Environment Board must complete a management plan to address local air pollution issues in 90 days.

Academics, activists, medical professionals, and residents in Chiang Mai have filed a class action lawsuit against the Prime Minister and other government agencies for lack of action on air pollution, with the provincial capital now ranking among the world’s most polluted cities.

<p>Two myths created by the media caused misunderstandings. One is that Chiang Mai faced the most severe problem, and the second is that this problem is likely to increase in severity every year. Statistics over the past 24 years indicate otherwise.</p>

<p>Thailand&rsquo;s <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/8325">smog crisis</a> continues in Bangkok and other provinces for a second week, with pollution readings at hazardous levels, while the spokesperson of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office has insisted that the situation has yet to reach a crisis level and asks the public not to panic.</p>

<p>PM2.5 levels in Bangkok and surrounding provinces have reached a hazardous level for the third consecutive day on Friday (10 January), with the air quality measuring between 156 &ndash; 163 AQI (Air Quality Index), while the government has yet to issue any concrete long-term plan to tackle the issue.</p>