Bangkok authorities shut down hundreds of schools due to high levels of air pollution
Authorities in Bangkok closed more than 350 schools and announced free public transportation for a week due to extremely high air pollution levels. This was reported by The Guardian newspaper on January 24.
Seasonal air pollution has long been a problem in Thailand, as in many other countries in the region. This week, however, pollution levels reached such a degree that it has led to the closure of the largest number of schools since 2020, the publication reported.
As another anti-pollution measure, the materials noted, the government announced free public transportation in Bangkok for a week.
"We hope this policy will help reduce pollution," said Transportation Minister Surya Huangrungruangki.
Air pollution in Bangkok is caused by a combination of cold and stagnant winter air with smoke from burning agricultural residue and car exhaust. Authorities have imposed a ban on burning agricultural residue and offered free public transportation to reduce the number of cars on the roads.
According to the newspaper, earlier on January 23, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtharn Shinawatra called for tougher anti-pollution measures at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, including restricting construction in the capital and engaging neighboring countries, the newspaper said.
Earlier, on January 15, The Guardian with reference to the environmental project Watershed Investigations reported that the bases of the Air Force (Air Force) of Great Britain became a source of serious pollution of groundwater with non-degradable chemicals. It is noted that concentrations of a group of hazardous substances in the area of groundwater near the Royal Air Force bases are extremely alarming and dozens of times higher than the permissible norm.
