Police yesterday asked private companies to cut their working week by one day in a bid to reduce PM2.5 levels in Bangkok.
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas said the Royal Thai Police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Department of Land Transport have set up 20 checkpoints across the city to monitor black carbon emissions from vehicles from Dec 1, 2020 to Feb 20, 2021.
"To help solve PM2.5 problems, the Royal Thai Police would like to ask businesses to allow their employees to work from home once a week this winter to help reduce car emissions -- one of the main causes of the rising PM2.5 levels in Bangkok," Pol Gen Damrongsak said.
The Bangkok Air Pollution Coordination and Resolution Centre yesterday reported that PM2.5 readings in 39 districts of the capital exceeded the safe level of 50 mcg/cm.
Three districts with the highest PM2.5 levels were Nong Khaem (98 mcg/cm), Thawi Watthana (87 mcg/cm) and Bangkok Yai (79 mcg/cm).
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he had ordered medical units under the Department of Disease Control to be prepared for patients with respiratory disease and the Department of Health to raise awareness on the danger of PM2.5 and educate people on how to protect themselves.
On recommendations to close schools, stagger work times or allow employees to work from home, the minister said all were options that could be adopted, adding the air quality was better during the anti-virus lockdown earlier this year.