Bangkok, Thailand-
In a push to combat the escalating air pollution crisis, the Thai government has rolled out a series of stringent measures aimed at reducing the notorious PM2.5 particulate matter that has plagued the nation’s air quality.
The Industry Ministry has announced plans to propose a new subsidy program targeting sugarcane farmers. This initiative seeks to buy all components of the sugarcane harvest, thereby providing an alternative to the traditional practice of burning crop residue, which has been identified as a major contributor to the air pollution problem. By giving farmers means to deliver their produce without burning, the government aims to directly address one of the root causes of PM2.5 pollution.
In response to the deteriorating air quality in the capital, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has joined forces with the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to execute cloud-seeding operations. This strategy is intended to induce rain, which will help in washing away the fine dust particles suspended in the atmosphere, offering temporary relief to the city’s residents.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has spearheaded a government-wide initiative, directing ministers to take immediate and decisive action. This includes enforcing bans on the purchase of burned sugarcane, tightening regulations on emissions from vehicles and construction sites, and fostering international cooperation to deal with cross-border pollution issues. The Prime Minister emphasized the urgency of these measures, calling for a swift proposal of even stricter policies by the end of the month of January as the true burning season begins.
With these steps, Thailand aims to clear its skies and safeguard public health from the adverse effects of air pollution. TPN media notes, however, that social media is incredibly skeptical of these claims as air pollution has been a major thorn in the governments side for years now and so far no administration has been able to make a decisive impact on the problem. Additionally, with the Thai economy depending so much on tourism, the poor air quality every year around January to March in particular also hurts the tourism industry.
