Bangkok –
There is a unique view that the detikOto editor discovered when visiting Bangkok, Thailand, last week. Even though the traffic is always busy with vehicles like in DKI Jakarta, the air quality there is still good and worth breathing.
In several locations, such as the Siam area, which is busy with shopping centers and entertainment venues, traffic jams occur almost all the time. In fact, when we traveled from Bangkok to Chonburi and Muang Thong Thani, vehicle density could be seen at many points.
Surprisingly, despite the traffic jams, the air quality in Bangkok is still one of the best in Southeast Asia. In fact, during the four days we were there, the AirVisual application showed green with the caption ‘good’, which indicates low air pollution.
Air quality in Bangkok. Photo: AirVisual
The good air quality in Bangkok can actually be seen with the naked eye. This is because buildings that are far from sight can be seen clearly and are not blocked by pollutant fog.
Our tour guide, who is a native of Thailand, Anan, explained that Bangkok had experienced air pollution problems several years ago. However, recently the air has improved thanks to the hard work of the local government.
“Previously it was serious (pollution), but now it has reduced. There are still traffic jams, especially during work hours,” said Anan when asked by detikOto in Bangkok, Thailand.
Traffic in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Septian Farhan Nurhuda / detikoto
According to information on the C40 page, the government in Thailand has indeed taken many steps to reduce air pollution in big cities, especially in Bangkok.
When Bangkok was faced with PM2.5 air pollution, local authorities immediately announced this phenomenon as a national agenda and all stakeholders must be involved and take effective action to help ‘fight’ it.
At that time, Bangkok formed an Air Pollution Prevention and Solution Committee headed by the Governor of Bangkok. The committee then determines short-term and long-term steps to deal with pollution problems.
The short-term steps taken are:
Increase the frequency of street cleaning and water sprinkling to trap dustIncrease checkpoints and ban all cars emitting black smokeCoordinate to resolve traffic jams and promote the public transport systemBan burning of rubbish and open burningStrictly control dust from Skytrain constructionControl and resolve problems related to dust from construction buildingsIncrease green areasControl pollution emissions from industrial factories to comply with standardsDistribute surgical masks and information on how to prevent PM2.5, especially for children, patients and the elderly, etc.
Meanwhile, the long-term steps taken are:
Improving motor vehicle pollutant emission standards and fuel quality Developing a network for a multi-modal public transport system Promoting utilization of the public transport system Providing “Park&Ride” buildings to promote the public transport system Increasing green areas.
Learning from Bangkok, Jakarta should also be able to combat the problem of air pollution which has recently made it difficult for many people. This afternoon, according to AirVisual, the air quality in the capital showed red with the description ‘unhealthy’. Meanwhile, for the umpteenth time, Bangkok is green.
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2023-12-04 23:09:50
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