POLLUTION
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Bangkok is suffering from dust pollution due to heavy emissions from vehicles, according to the Department of Pollution Control. Department chief Supat Wangwongwatana said that in general, Bangkok's air quality is acceptable, but dust caused by smoke from vehicles, especially bus services, can be a problem.
''We have found that smoke from vehicles is a key source of dust.'' he said. ''The smoke is caused by incomplete combustion from poor-quality engines.''
He said the best way to prevent the problem was to cultivate a culture of social responsibility.
Vehicle owners should have an engine check-up every year to prevent the problem, he said.
According to the department's statistics, it found that Bangkok Mass Transit Authority buses emit much less smoke than privately-owned bus services.
However, Mr Supat has expressed confidence that Bangkok's air quality would improve in the near future, as many public transport operators are switching to natural gas for vehicles (NGV) engine systems.
And from next year, fuel-efficient vehicles will have to meet the new environmental safety standard of Euro 4.
The Department of Land Transport last year received over 500 complaints of heavy smoke from bus services, and the department detected 88,113 cars emitting excessive smoke
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