Thread: Bangkok's air quality 16th worst among world cities

The Air Visual application reported on Sunday that Bangkok’s air pollution level according to the US Air Quality Index (AQI) standard stood at 108, with the level of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrograms in diameter (PM2.5) at 38mcg per cubic metre (µg/m3), placing it at 16th on the list of cities with the worst air in the world.

AQI is a standard that indicates the quality of air and level of pollution. Level 0-50 means good air quality, 51-100 is moderate quality, 101-105 will start affecting sensitive groups, 151-200 is slightly harmful to health, 201-300 is highly harmful and 301-500 is extremely dangerous.

Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department reported that air quality in Bangkok and its perimeter is currently fluctuating between very good to moderate with PM2.5 at around 20-42 µg/m3 detected by 71 air quality stations.

The Thai safety limit for PM2.5 is 50mcg per cubic metre of air while the safety limit for AQI is 100.

As of Sunday, the five cities with the worst air quality were: 1. Lahore, Pakistan 317; 2. Delhi, India 195; 3. Karachi, Pakistan 169; 4. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 163; 5. Chengdu, China 158.

The cities with the best air quality were: 1. Tashkent, Uzbekistan 1; 2. Melbourne, Australia; 3. Sydney, Australia 6; 4. Canberra, Australia 6; 5. London, United Kingdom 7.

Bangkok's air quality 16th worst among world cities

PM2.5 rises past safe levels again in Bangkok

PM2.5 dust pollution has returned to Bangkok and vicinities, where levels in three districts exceeded safe limits on Tuesday.


Pollution Control Department (PCD) reports from 71 stations in and around the capital recorded PM2.5 levels of between 25 and 52 micrograms per cubic metre.

The areas where PM2.5 exceeded the 50mg safe level were the Bangkok districts of Bang Kho Laem district ((55mg) and Bangkok Yai (51mg) and Mahachai (54mg) in Samut Sakhon province.

PCD chief Attapol Charoenchansa said the rising levels of PM2.5 stemmed from a low-temperature air mass that was causing the dust to linger.

People who live in affected areas are advised to follow pollution updates at the websites Air4Thai.com and bangkokairquality.com.

PM2.5 rises past safe levels again in Bangkok