The prime minister on Tuesday ordered state officials to work from home from tomorrow until Sunday in a bid to keep PM2.5 dust levels in check.
Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa told media that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday approved the order based on weather information provided by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD).
He said he had ordered a ministry task force to carry out a survey among the general public to assess their opinions on the severity of the problem and ascertain which measures they would back, such as traffic management or work-from-home directives, to improve air quality across the country.
The spike in PM2.5, which is expected to last until next Tuesday, is caused by a seasonal lack of air circulation.
In a related development, an official trial of electric vehicle (EV) ferry cruises on the Chao Phraya was launched on Tuesday in the hope of convincing boat and ferry operators to move away from diesel engines to cleaner electric motors.
The electric ferries are developed by Energy Absolute Plc (EA).
EA has a majority stake in a joint venture, E Smart Transport Co, which will operate 27 EV ferries on the Chao Phraya under E Smart Transport Co, according to Amorn Sapthaweekul, deputy chief executive of EA.
Three ferries will run in the opening phase, with another 23 to be rolled out during the second quarter of next year.
"Concerns about PM2.5 air pollution, smog emissions, noise pollution and increasing costs have prompted operators to start paying attention to EV ferries," Mr Amorn said.
He said the company is also developing electric taxis and buses.