Publications·October 31, 2002
The Thailand Environment Monitor series tracks key environmental trends in the country. Its aim is to engage and inform stakeholders on key environmental changes and challenges as they occur. The 2000 Monitor benchmarked general environmental indicators, while the 2001 Monitor focused on water quality. This year, the Monitor concentrates on air quality. Vehicles, power plants, factories, forest fires, agricultural burning and open cooking all contribute to air pollution in Thailand. While air pollution certainly has regional and global implications, its most severe impacts are felt by people living in cities, where concentrations are higher. Air quality monitoring measures the principal pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead. Much of the air quality monitoring information used in this document is drawn from the Pollution Control Department's monitoring network. Economic and other activities in and around transport corridors result in a high incidence of pollution-related health problems in Thailand's cities. Several studies demonstrating the ill effects of air pollution on human health in Thailand have served as an important wake-up call. A decade ago, the health costs of exposure to lead, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide in Bangkok were estimated to be equivalent to between 8 and 10 percent of urban annual income.
The Thailand Environment Monitor 2002 focuses on the status of air quality in Thailand, tracking pollution sources, monitoring efforts, pollutants, health impacts, and policy responses.
It builds on previous Monitors (2000: environment overall; 2001: water quality) and highlights critical improvements and persistent challenges.
Key Points:
1. Pollution Sources
Major sources of air pollution:
Transport: especially diesel trucks, buses, two-stroke motorcycles.
Industry: particularly cement, lime and plaster manufacturing, iron and steel.
Power plants: historically problematic for SO₂ and PM, but improved through natural gas adoption and flue gas desulfurization (FGD).
Area sources: agricultural burning, forest fires, road dust, and waste burning.
2. Air Quality Monitoring
Thailand has an extensive monitoring network (71 stations nationwide).
Led by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), with support from other ministries.
Key pollutants monitored: PM10, PM2.5, SO₂, NOx, CO, O₃, lead.
3. Air Pollution Trends
PM10 levels have declined but remain problematic in traffic corridors.
SO₂ and CO levels have decreased dramatically.
Lead levels fell to almost zero after the phase-out of leaded gasoline.
Ozone (O₃) concentrations are a growing concern in suburban areas.
4. Health Impacts
High levels of PM10 are linked to increased respiratory illnesses.
Health costs due to pollution exposure have declined, but still represent 1.6% of GDP annually.
Air pollution is associated with mortality, chronic bronchitis, hospital admissions, and productivity losses.
5. Policy Responses and Achievements
Major achievements:
Phase-out of leaded gasoline.
Fuel quality improvements.
Cleaner production in industry.
Shift to natural gas for electricity generation.
Tighter emissions standards and better vehicle inspections.
Public perception remains skeptical, indicating a need for better communication and public participation.
6. Challenges Ahead
Focusing on fine PM reduction in Bangkok.
Improving public transport (e.g., priority bus lanes, expanding Skytrain).
Strengthening enforcement of air quality laws.
Expanding public involvement in air quality management.
Harnessing global mechanisms (e.g., Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol).
7. Global Cooperation
Thailand has ratified:
Kyoto Protocol (climate change mitigation).
Montreal Protocol (ozone protection).
Actively using Global Environment Facility (GEF) funding for environmental improvements.
📑 Key Words / Topics:
Air Pollution
PM10 and PM2.5
Lead Phase-Out
SO₂ and CO Reduction
Transport Emissions
Diesel Vehicles
Agricultural and Forest Burning
Air Quality Monitoring
Health Costs
Climate Change (GHG emissions)
Public Participation
Policy Enforcement
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Multistakeholder Coordination