Pollution in Bangkok

[Smeg]

Everyone knows it is bad, but on the way back from a trip to Rangsit at the weekend, the view of the Bangkok skyline was scary. The airspace of the surrounding horizon is clear, but the airspace above the city looks a thick dirty grey, the only building above this being Baiyoke. Cleaning my aircon machine filters shows the effect of this, and I'm on the 30th floor!

I will thus be moving out to the suburbs within a month.

Even this pic below, which is called "beautiful Bangkok", shows the grey haze, at close distance.

[MeMock]

Isn't it just as bad out in the 'burbs?

[friscofrankie]

I don't think so. Living in BKK reminded me of workin in the press room of the local newspaper when I was young. end of the day I'd blow this black scummy shit outta my nose every morning. Gettin home from downtown bangkok I'd have the same shit come out of me. Even living on Rmakamhaeng 36 the effect was noticably less. Heaven help me, I still love the smells of pollution, decay and street food when in Bangkok though.
Still. I'll take Chiangmai, thank you

[ChiangMai noon]

The reasons not to live in Bangkok are legion.
I think a lot of smeg's negativity about thailand is actually negativity towards Bangkok.
I would have left Thailand 3 years ago were it not for getting re-located to chiangMai.

[Rigger]

Bangkok stinks like shit when ever you get off the plane you can smell the joint. You get to your hotel and use them nice white towels to wipe your face and see the black soot coming off your face it cant be good for you
Rangsit was not quite as bad but the first time I cleaned my aircon I was shocked fuck full of crap after just 3 months. I prefur the sweet smells of Isaan (pig shit)

[Smeg]

The reasons not to live in Bangkok are legion.
I think a lot of smeg's negativity about thailand is actually negativity towards Bangkok.
I would have left Thailand 3 years ago were it not for getting re-located to chiangMai.

What work options are there up there other than teaching and small business type stuff?

[ChiangMai noon]

In all honesty, most of my friends up here are teachers and small business people.
A few larger scale import, exporters also plenty of journalists and freelance writers that don't make a great deal of money.

Some do pretty well at buying businesses cheap and selling after a couple of years.

In truth though I haven't really looked that hard because as you correctly pointed out, i lack real ambition.

[Airportwo]

I left Bangkok for Pattaya in 97, main reasons being traffic and pollution.

Pattaya was great then, unfortunatley it is catching up to Bangkok - fast!

[Smeg]

In all honesty, most of my friends up here are teachers and small business people.
A few larger scale import, exporters also plenty of journalists and freelance writers that don't make a great deal of money.

Some do pretty well at buying businesses cheap and selling after a couple of years.

And that is the snag, because none of the above appeal, and nor does the limited earnings.

At least I'm lucky in that I work part time, so commuting into the city will be less frequent, and I can get away completely for long weekends every week.

My plan is to get as far out as possible, but commutable within an hour, by van (to Victory Monument) and then BTS.

[barbaro]

Bangkok stinks like shit when ever you get off the plane you can smell the joint. You get to your hotel and use them nice white towels to wipe your face and see the black soot coming off your face it cant be good for you
Rangsit was not quite as bad but the first time I cleaned my aircon I was shocked fuck full of crap after just 3 months. I prefur the sweet smells of Isaan (pig shit)

Bangkok actually hurts my throat. Even after just walking down Sukhumvit, or sitting outside in a cafe near the traffic.

A scientifically designed mask (one brand is Neomask covers your noes and mouth, and you can clean/wash the filter ever 2 months or so.

Looks silly. Never wore one in Bangkok. But it can help some.

Living in BKK long-term can take 10 years of some peoples lives. And the pollution hits the liver hard, too.

[hillbilly]

Smeg does have a point. I remember my sore throat in the early days.

Does anyone have any facts where BKK stands with pollution levels compared to other big cities?

[NickA]

^Smeg, maybe you could move out somewhere near me, HB and William - we live up to the North of Bangkok in Nonthaburi, don't we lads!

[aging one]

Isn't it just as bad out in the 'burbs?

Hell no it isnt!! The air is breathable out here. If you'd ever take the time to come and see!!!

[mrsquirrel]

Seoul is worse.

I used to be able to climb a small hill behind my apaprtment there and see a yellow ball over the city

[MeMock]

That was during the world cup you fool. The yellow ball was a huge inflatable soccer ball.

[MeMock]

Isn't it just as bad out in the 'burbs?

Hell no it isnt!! The air is breathable out here. If you'd ever take the time to come and see!!!

Yeah yeah yeah.....I'll get there - I promise!

I really wanna try some of your cooking!