Kiera Jefferson
Thailand's economic growth has led to numerous environmental issues, with air pollution being one of the most pressing. In recent years, the country has seen high levels of air pollution, particularly in Bangkok, where residents have complained of poor visibility, respiratory issues, and eye irritation. The concentration of hazardous airborne particles, known as PM2.5, has been recorded at levels significantly higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, posing adverse health effects and contributing to an estimated 33,000 deaths in Thailand in 2016 alone. The main sources of air pollution in Thailand include vehicular emissions, biomass burning, industrial activities, and agricultural fires, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Region being a significant hotspot due to its high population and industrial presence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | The PM2.5 concentration is currently 4 times the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 guideline value. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima are among the most polluted cities. |
| Water pollution | In the Thailand State of Pollution Report 2020, of the 59 water sources and 6 still water resources tested: 2% were of excellent quality, 37% of good quality, 43% of fair quality, and 18% of poor quality. The top 5 poorest water sources were the Lower Lam Takong River, Lower Chao Phraya River, Sakae Krang River, Lower Rayong River, and Kuang River. |
| Plastic waste | In 2022, the World Bank published an assessment that estimated that 16.8 kton/year of mismanaged plastic waste is generated in Thailand's three major tourist hotspots, with 0.7 kton/year leaking into the environment. |
| Causes of air pollution | Industry and vehicle emissions, burning of farm residues, and forest fires. Air pollution is often more severe in Northern Thailand due to agricultural biomass burning and forest fires. |
| Health impact | Air pollution increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. In 2016, over 33,000 deaths in Thailand were attributed to ambient air pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution from vehicles and factories
Thailand's economic growth has come at a great cost to its environment and people. The country faces numerous environmental issues, with air pollution being one of the most pressing concerns. In recent years, Thailand's rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to a significant increase in air pollution, particularly in its cities.
Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to air pollution in Thailand, especially in densely populated cities like Bangkok. The number of registered vehicles in Bangkok has seen a sharp increase over the years, with the number of cars rising from 5.9 million to 10.2 million between 2008 and 2018. This has resulted in high levels of exhaust fumes from older vehicles, such as buses and trucks, which permeate the atmosphere with pollutants. In 2022, combustion engines were responsible for 72% of Bangkok's air pollution, making vehicular emissions the main source of PM10 in the city.
The industrial sector also plays a significant role in air pollution, particularly in Bangkok, which is home to over half of the country's factories. The production of goods, especially food and household products, involves the use of chemicals that are released into the atmosphere. In 2022, factories contributed to around 17% of PM2.5 emissions in the capital. The lack of treatment facilities for hazardous substances generated by industrial activities has led to serious dumping issues, further exacerbating the problem.
Agricultural burning, a common practice in Thailand, is another major source of air pollution. Farmers in northern Thailand start wildfires during the dry season for various purposes, releasing particulate matter into the atmosphere. This practice, along with crop burning near cities like Chiang Mai, contributes to the haze and intense air pollution in the Thai highlands. While agriculture accounts for under 20% of the country's air pollution emissions, it creates periods of extremely severe pollution between crop seasons.
The combination of vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and agricultural burning has led to dangerous levels of air pollution in Thailand, with cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai bearing the brunt of it. The government has implemented short-term solutions and is working towards long-term goals to ease the environmental crisis and improve air quality for its citizens.
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Forest fires and agricultural burning
Thailand's economic growth has come at a great cost to its people and the environment. The country faces many environmental issues, including air pollution, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and waste issues.
Agricultural burning is a major source of PM 2.5 pollution in Thailand, which refers to airborne particulates smaller than 2.5 microns. These particles are so small that they can be inhaled into the bloodstream and cause serious health issues, including cancer and heart disease. In February 2023, air pollution in Bangkok and neighboring provinces spiked to levels 14 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels. The Pollution Control Department attributed this spike to stagnant weather conditions, which exacerbated vehicle emissions and seasonal fires on agricultural lands.
Thailand's national air quality standards fall short of WHO recommendations. In the first six months of 2017, Greenpeace Thailand monitored PM2.5 levels in 14 provinces and found that every station recorded levels higher than the WHO recommendation of less than 10 milligrams per cubic meter of air. Chiang Mai, Tak, Khon Kaen, Bangkok, and Saraburi were among the worst-affected cities in 2017.
To address the issue of forest fires and agricultural burning, Thailand has developed forest fire hotspot maps to identify present and future high-risk areas. These maps can inform policy development and successful management strategies, such as implementing better monitoring strategies in hotspot areas to minimize the anthropogenic causes of forest fires.
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Water scarcity and waste issues
Thailand's rapid economic growth has resulted in numerous environmental issues, including water scarcity and waste management problems. The country's water crisis is driven by increasing population, urbanization, agricultural and industrial expansion, and climate change.
Water Scarcity
Thailand's annual rainfall is around 1700 mm, and the country is home to 25 river basins. However, severe flooding during the rainy season and extreme drought in the dry season are major contributors to the water crisis. The Central Plain region, which includes Bangkok, relies on dams in the northern region for water. Long periods of drought have reduced water levels in these dams, impacting both agricultural production and the availability of drinking water.
The agricultural sector, which includes rice production, accounts for 70% of the nation's water use. Farmers expanding outside of irrigated zones and inefficient water use have exacerbated the problem. Thailand's worst drought in 40 years, in 2020, cost the country an estimated $1.5 billion, or 0.27% of its GDP.
Waste Issues
Thailand's waste management issues are closely linked to its water scarcity problems. Untreated domestic sewage, industrial wastewater, and solid hazardous wastes have contaminated surface water and groundwater sources. One-third of Thailand's surface water is of poor quality, with the Northern, Central, and Southern regions having the poorest water quality.
Agricultural runoff, aquaculture, and sewage pollute groundwater sources, and over-extraction of groundwater further exacerbates the problem. Thailand also struggles with plastic waste management, with plastic pollution leaking into marine environments. The government has initiated plans like the Roadmap for Plastic Waste Management 2018-2030 and river cleanup initiatives to address these issues.
Addressing the Issues
Thailand has implemented various measures to address water scarcity and waste issues. The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) aims to provide clean water to over 75,000 villages by building small dams to restore watershed areas. The government has also restructured water management with the Water Resources Act, centralizing control across previously overlapping agencies. However, local communities and farmers, who are most at risk of water shortages, lack political power to negotiate fair water distribution.
Effective water management remains a challenge, and Thailand must balance economic growth with environmental sustainability to secure sufficient water resources for its population.
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Poor air quality and health impacts
Thailand's economic growth has come at a great cost to its environment and people. The country faces problems with air, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and waste issues. Industrial growth, vehicles, and factories have contributed to high levels of air pollution in Thailand, with Bangkok being one of the worst-affected cities. In 2019, Bangkok suffered under a haze of smog and ultra-fine dust, with particulate levels soaring to 94 micrograms per cubic meter of air in some areas, almost double the safe limit.
The health impacts of poor air quality are significant. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can cause respiratory problems, aggravating existing conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. PM2.5 is also associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, including an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, these particles can irritate and inflame the eyes, nose, and throat, causing discomfort.
Pregnant women exposed to high levels of PM2.5 may be at risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental issues in infants. A study in Bangkok found that each 10-μg/m3 increase in PM10 (particulate matter ≤ 10 μm in diameter) was associated with a 1.25% increase in all-cause mortality. This is higher than in other participating cities such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. The World Bank reported in 2016 that 50,000 Thais died from air-pollution-induced diseases, and the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that air pollution reduces a person's lifespan by two years.
To mitigate the health impacts of poor air quality, Thailand has established a network of monitoring stations to assess air quality and track PM2.5 levels. The country's Pollution Control Department has also issued warnings during periods of high pollution, urging people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. However, public opinion suggests that the government's efforts to tackle air pollution have been ineffective.
To protect public health and reduce the adverse impacts of air pollution, Thailand must transition to renewable, low-carbon energy sources and implement strong regulations and government investments.
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Inadequate government action and public dissatisfaction
Thailand's rapid economic growth has led to numerous environmental issues, including air pollution, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and waste management problems. The country's air quality standards fall short of WHO recommendations, with high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particulates, which have severe health implications.
The Thai government has faced criticism for its inadequate response to these issues. Despite the government's assurances, Bangkok's air pollution remains a significant concern, with an 81% disapproval rating of the government's efforts in a 2020 survey. The government's focus on economic growth has often taken precedence over environmental protection, and local authorities lack the necessary funding and capacity to address these issues effectively.
Inadequate waste management, particularly plastic waste, has also been a point of contention. While the government has set goals to reduce plastic waste and implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags, there has been limited success. The ban exempts a significant portion of single-use bags used in wet markets and restaurants, and recycling efforts have been insufficient, with only 0.5 million tonnes of the two million tonnes of plastic waste generated in 2018 being recycled.
Additionally, Thailand faces a severe transboundary pollution crisis from rare earth mining in Myanmar, which has contaminated river systems with arsenic and other toxic substances. The Thai government's response has been criticized as slow and inadequate, limited to diplomatic notes, with activists urging more direct action.
The government has also struggled to address agricultural burning and wildfires, which contribute to haze and air pollution. While Thailand ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in 2003, haze and smoke pollution from agricultural fires continue to be a problem, with corporations in the agricultural sector being the biggest contributors.
Overall, there is a sense of public dissatisfaction with the Thai government's handling of environmental issues, particularly regarding air and water pollution, waste management, and transboundary pollution. The government's response has often been criticized as ineffective, slow, and insufficient, with a lack of coordination between central and local authorities exacerbating the problem.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of air pollution in Thailand are vehicular emissions in cities, biomass burning and transboundary haze in rural and border areas, and industrial discharges in concentrated industrialised zones.
Air pollution increases the risk of many non-communicable diseases, such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. In 2016, it was estimated that over 33,000 deaths in Thailand were attributable to ambient air pollution.
In January 2019, Bangkok authorities employed cloud seeding to ease air pollution in parts of the city. However, a National Institute for Development Administration survey in January 2020 showed that 81% of the 1,256 local residents questioned agreed that the government was ineffective at solving Bangkok's air pollution problem.
Thailand's dramatic economic growth has come at a great cost to the environment. According to a 2004 indicator, the cost of air and water pollution for the country scales up to approximately 1.6–2.6% of GDP per year. Visitors may also choose countries with cleaner air, impacting the tourism industry.
