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The haze situation has been worsening continuously for many years, to the point where we now see thick fog resembling that of cold-climate cities. However, no one dares to breathe it in, knowing well that it contains hazardous levels of PM 2.5. According to data from the State of Global Air, in 2021, Southeast Asia ranked third globally in the number of deaths attributable to PM 2.5, following East Asia and South Asia, where China and India held the first and second positions for the highest number of deaths attributable to PM 2.5 exposure.
Within ASEAN, Indonesia recorded the highest number of PM 2.5-attributable deaths at 129,300, followed by Thailand with 53,400, the Philippines with 43,200, Vietnam with 41,500, and Myanmar with 31,200.
Although ASEAN has implemented the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution to prevent and monitor cross-border haze from forest fires and agricultural burning, along with addressing the issue through domestic actions and regional cooperation—the persistent severity of the haze problem highlights the need for stronger, more serious, and concrete solutions.
During the period of late winter and early summer, Thailand often faces severe PM 2.5 pollution due to stagnant air and poor ventilation. The primary sources of PM 2.5 include agricultural burning, forest fires, vehicle emissions, power generation, and industrial activities. Notably, forest fires are often deliberately set repeatedly to degrade forest land for encroachment purposes.
One major contributor to Thailand’s PM 2.5 crisis is transboundary haze carried by wind from neighboring countries, particularly Myanmar and Laos. Data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre indicates that, over the past decade, Myanmar and Laos have consistently ranked first and second in the highest number of detected fire hotspots in ASEAN, with Cambodia following as the third.
However, instead of solely blaming neighboring countries, Thailand has seen a significant rise in agricultural burning. According to a report from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), between January 1 and May 31, 2024, the amount of burning in Thailand increased by 73.15% compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, rice field burning surged by 295.84%, maize by 281.69%, and other agricultural areas by 390.27%. The only silver lining is that while Thailand experienced severe wildfires in 2023, the number decreased by 54.02% in 2024.
Addressing PM 2.5 requires structural solutions rather than treating it merely as a disaster response. While reducing agricultural burning is crucial, other short-term mitigation measures include work-from-home (WFH) policies to reduce pollution from commuting, which Thailand and other ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, have occasionally implemented, alongside initiatives like Thailand’s free electric train rides, which have encouraged more people to use public transport.
However, the effectiveness of WFH and travel reduction in lowering PM 2.5 remains debatable. The root causes of PM 2.5 extend beyond transportation to include agricultural burning, industrial emissions, and haze drifting from other provinces or countries. Nonetheless, WFH remains a useful measure in minimizing health risks for the public.
Despite the increasing severity of PM 2.5 pollution each year, the problem does not seem likely to be resolved anytime soon. Instead of raising awareness and enforcing stronger health protection measures, many organizations still require employees—who do not have essential on-site duties—to commute and work as usual, acting as biological air purifiers amidst the hazardous air quality. This raises the pressing question: Will we even live long enough to die of old age?
Author:
Ms. Patcha Thamrong-ajariyakun
Senior Researcher
International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization)
www.itd.or.th
Publication: Bangkok BIZ Newspaper
Section: First Section/World Beat
Volume: 38 Issue: 12841
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025
Page: 8 (left)
Column: “Asean Insight”
