Rainmaking has reduced hazardous dust particulate levels in greater Bangkok, with readings significantly lower, the government spokesman said on Wednesday.
Buddhipongse Punnakanta said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry reported that rainmaking operations started at 3pm on Tuesday and resulted in rain in Phaya Thai, Prawet, Bang Kapi and Huai Khwang districts of Bangkok and parts of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces.
The Pollution Control Department then found the daily levels of particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less (PM2.5) had dropped from 82 to 72 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in Bang Khunthian district, from 53 to 43mcg in Phaya Thai district, and from 74 to 65mcg in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok.
The fine dust level also dropped from 66 to 60mcg in tambon Pak Nam of Muang district in Samut Prakan province and tambon Om Noi of Krathumbaen district in Samut Sakhon province, Mr Buddhipongse said.
The safe level is capped at 50mcg.
Rainmaking to reduce the pollution level would continue, together measures on the ground to control dust and smoke, the spokesman said.
The Pollution Control Department expected weather conditions to improve on Thursday, with rain forecast for 20% of greater Bangkok.
On Wednesday particulate levels dropped to safe levels in some areas of greater Bangkok, with readings of 35-65mcg, the department said.
In Bangkok, unhealthy levels on Wednesday were reported on Kanchanaphisek Road in Bang Khunthian district, Intarapitak Road in Thon Buri district, Lat Phrao Road and Phlab Phla sub-district in Wang Thong Lang district, and Din Daeng Road in Din Daeng district.
Elsewhere, unsafe smog was found in tambon Nakhon Phathom of Muang district in Nakhon Pathom, tambon Bang Kruai in Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi, tambon Khlong Nueng of Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, tambon Song Khanong of Phra Pradaeng district in Samut Prakan, and tambon Om Noi in Krathum Baen district of Samut Sakhon province.