Poor air quality is again a concern after the Pollution Control Department detected amounts of micro-fine dust exceeding safe limits at all five air quality monitoring stations on Monday.
The department said the average value of so-called particulate matter, or PM 2.5 over the past 24 hours was up from 52 microgrammes per cubic metre on Sunday to 76 microgrammes per cubic metre in Bang Na district yesterday.
It rose from 50 to 75 microgrammes per cubic metre in Wang Thong Lang district, 51 to 77 microgrammes per cubic metre in Rama IV (Pathumwan district), 55 to 86 cubic metres in Intarapitak (Thon Buri district), 52-73 microgrammes per cubic metre in Lad Prao district and 42-69 microgrammes per cubic metre in Phaya Thai district.
The standard limit in Thailand is set at 50 microgrammes per cubic metre for 24 hours.
Air expert Supat Wangwongwatana said the capital has been engulfed by heavy smog containing PM 2.5 as a result of heavy traffic and air pressure conditions that block airflow.
He suggested vehicle controls should be imposed in case of an air quality crisis to limit air pollution in the city, saying heavy transport was a prime factor causing pollution.
The world community at large is more conscious of air pollution, which is the main cause of death for millions of people a year, he said.