Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered government agencies to take action to fight the air pollution that has hit Bangkok and its surrounding provinces in recent days.

The PM said the government had continuously implemented measures against the surging PM2.5 levels but the problem had deteriorated due to the current weather.

He urged commuters to use public transport as much as possible and said the government would consider introducing alternate-day private travel only in the capital.

As for agricultural burning, one of the main causes of the PM2.5 crisis, Gen Prayut said the problem lay with farmers lacking the proper equipment for non-burning waste disposal.

Traffic police in Bangkok have been told to set up checkpoints on roads in congested areas to check vehicles emitting black fumes.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok governor said the BMA had asked the Highways Department to continuously wash roads in an effort to reduce excessive PM2.5 levels in many areas across the city.

The BMA has told 437 schools to skip outdoor morning assembly and large construction projects have also been ordered to stop for the next two to three days.