Air quality improving year on year, Chadchart saysListen to this articleThick smog blankets Bangkok on Jan 14. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt attributed the improvement to coordinated efforts to curb open burning in surrounding provinces. In the same period this year, there were only seven days where PM2.5 levels exceeded the threshold, he said. If Jan 25 were included, last year's total comes up to 19 days, compared to seven this year -- improving more than 60%. However, Mr Chadchart cautioned that as burning continues in neighbouring countries, the prevailing easterly and northeasterly winds over the region can blow particulate matter towards Bangkok.

Source: Bangkok Post January 26, 2026 22:36 UTC