Air pollution in Bangkok

The document examines unequal exposure to PM2.5 in Bangkok, finding that informal workers and low-income individuals experience higher rates of health symptoms. It highlights a gap between government air-quality data and public perception, particularly in peri-urban districts. The authors recommend six policy measures, including improved public communication, expanded healthcare access, and stricter vehicle emission inspections.

• Air pollution levels in Bangkok frequently exceed global standards; annual PM2.5 exposure in Thailand is more than four times the 2021 WHO recommended standard, and some months in Bangkok see concentrations eight times the WHO annual guideline.
• Socio-economic status and employment type significantly influence pollution exposure and health outcomes. Informal workers and those with lower incomes reported more symptoms—such as headaches, sneezing, and irritated eyes—than formal or higher-income workers.
• Specific living and working conditions increase the probability of suffering air pollution-related symptoms, including residing in poor informal neighbourhoods, living near highways, railroads, or major streets, and working in poorly ventilated indoor cooking environments.
• There is a significant disconnect between public perception and official air-quality data. Residents in peri-urban districts (Bang Khun Thian and Nong Chok) often perceive air quality as good or not harmful despite government data showing these areas have the highest pollution levels, while residents in less polluted central districts (Thon Buri and Klong Toei) often perceive the air as toxic.
• The study identifies diesel vehicles as the primary source of PM2.5 emissions in Bangkok and suggests that revenue from congestion charges or higher licensing fees for inefficient vehicles could fund protective health and safety measures.

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} }