Air pollution in Bangkok

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the relationship between socio-economic status and exposure to PM2.5 air pollution in Bangkok. Based on a study of five districts and 400 participants, it finds that informal workers and low-income residents face higher exposure and more health symptoms, while public perception of air quality often contradicts government monitoring data.

• Air pollution levels in Bangkok frequently exceed global health standards. Annual exposure to PM2.5 in Thailand is more than four times the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) recommended global standard, and in certain months, Bangkok's concentrations reach eight times the WHO annual air-quality guideline value.
• Exposure to air pollution is unequally distributed based on occupation and living conditions. Higher exposure is linked to working outdoors, occupations involving cooking, living in poor informal settlements, residing near highways and train tracks, and living in homes without air conditioning.
• Informal workers and low-income individuals report a higher prevalence of health symptoms related to air pollution. Common symptoms include headaches, nasal congestion, sneezing, and irritated eyes; these are more frequent among those in the informal sector and those with lower incomes compared to formal workers and higher-income individuals.
• Public perception of air quality in Bangkok often diverges from official government data. In peri-urban districts like Nong Chok and Bang Khun Thian, which have higher pollution levels, fewer residents perceived the air as harmful. Conversely, residents in less polluted districts like Thon Buri and Klong Toei reported higher beliefs of exposure.
• The study identified specific high-risk environments and activities. A worker grilling food in a poorly ventilated kitchen was found to have the highest PM2.5 exposure. Additionally, machine-learning models indicated higher probabilities of impact for those near railroads, major streets, and indoor cooking areas with poor ventilation.
• The authors propose six policy measures to mitigate exposure and health impacts: improving public communication and education, expanding access to affordable healthcare and insurance for informal workers, providing masks to highly exposed workers, expanding labor-safety training, improving diesel vehicle smoke inspections (including congestion charges), and building municipal capacity for pollution control.

APA

Nguyen, T. P. L., Winjikul, E., & Virdis, S. G. (2023). Air pollution in Bangkok. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/unequal-exposure-air-pollution-bangkok-sei2023.012.pdf

Chicago

Nguyen, Thi Phuoc Lai, Ekbordin Winjikul, and Salvatore G.P. Virdis. Air pollution in Bangkok. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2023. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/unequal-exposure-air-pollution-bangkok-sei2023.012.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Nguyen |first1=Thi Phuoc Lai |last2=Winjikul |first2=Ekbordin |last3=Virdis |first3=Salvatore G.P. |title=Air pollution in Bangkok |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=March 2023 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/unequal-exposure-air-pollution-bangkok-sei2023.012.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{nguyen2023air, author = {Nguyen, Thi Phuoc Lai and Winjikul, Ekbordin and Virdis, Salvatore G.P.}, title = {{Air pollution in Bangkok}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/unequal-exposure-air-pollution-bangkok-sei2023.012.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }