Thick, unhealthy smog continues to plague much of the North, with the worst pollution in Lampang province, and Bangkok residents were afflicted by unsafe fine-dust levels in eight districts on Tuesday.
The Pollution Control Dept on Tuesday reported unsafe levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) at 11 of the 15 air quality measurement stations it operates in the North.
They are in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai; Muang district of Chiang Mai; Muang and Mae Mo districts of Lampang; Muang district of Lamphun; Muang district of Phrae; and Muang district of Phayao.
PM2.5 levels there exceeded the set safe threshold of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre of air over the past 24 hours in the 24 hours to 9am. The worst PM2.5 pollution, 89mcg, was reported in tambon Phra Bat of Muang district in Lampang, followed by 75mcg in tambon Chang Phueak of Muang district in Chiang Mai.
In other provinces, the department reported unsafe smog levels in tambon Nai Muang of Muang district in Nakhon Ratchasima province; tambon Na Phra Lan of Chalerm Prakiat district and tambon Pak Phriaw of Muang district in Saraburi; and tambon Sanam Chai of Muang district in Suphan Buri.
In the capital city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported unsafe PM2.5 levels in eight districts -- Klong San, Bang Khlaem, Wang Thonglang, Phra Nakhon, Klong Toey, Laksi, Bang Khen and Bung Kum. The capital's most polluted air was measured at 58mcg in Bang Khen.