Fine dust levels were deemed slightly unsafe in Bangkok's Bang Kholaem and Bang Phlat districts on Friday morning due to stagnant air and heavy traffic, according to the Pollution Control Department.
Director-general Pralong Damrongthai said on Friday that particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) was measured at 53 microgrammes per cubic metre of air over the past 24 hours along Rama III Road in Bang Kholaem and Charan Sanitwong Road in Bang Phlat. The safe threshold set by the government is 50mcg.
He attributed the air pollution to stagnant air and heavy traffic on Thursday.
Over the 24 hours to 9am, the department recorded PM2.5 levels at 22-53mcg in greater Bangkok. Mr Pralong said the levels were rising overall.
The Meteorological Department said on Friday morning that a high pressure system from China would blanket upper Thailand from Saturday to Tuesday, bringing variable weather conditions including thunderstorms, lower temperatures and strong winds to upper regions.
