According to IQAir‘s most recent assessment released on Friday, several Southeast Asian cities are among the world’s most polluted, with Ho Chi Minh City ranking second, while  Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Bangkok, Thailand, secured fourth and fifth places, respectively.

According to reports, the concentrations of tiny inhalable particles in Ho Chi Minh City were 11 times greater than the safe threshold advised by the World Health Organization. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, was named the most polluted city in the world earlier this year, leading to health advisories urging people to wear masks and eye protection.

Health and Social Impacts of Pollution in Bangkok

Southeast Asian cities are among the world’s most polluted, with Bangkok’s skyline often covered in thick haze, creating challenges for locals, especially outdoor workers. A city motorcycle taxi driver shared that he frequently clears his nose due to persistent nasal congestion caused by poor air quality.

To reduce pollution, the Thai government has implemented temporary solutions, such as providing free public transit for a week and closing over 300 schools to safeguard students. Some locals, however, have questioned these initiatives, arguing that the government should do more than just close schools and declare dust levels to be excessive. Many think that more forceful and decisive measures are needed to address the persistent and deteriorating pollution.

In an effort to lessen pollution caused by traffic, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has urged companies and governmental organizations to permit remote work. She also reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the dust issue and emphasized the value of utilizing dust coverings at building sites.

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Long-Term Solutions for Pollution Mitigation

Southeast Asian governments are attempting to implement long-term solutions to the persistent pollution problem. To cut down on excessive traffic, agricultural burning, and industrial emissions, proposed measures include enacting a carbon tax and encouraging the use of electric vehicles.

The immediate problems caused by air pollution still exist despite these initiatives. To address the serious health and environmental effects of the issue, citizens and environmental advocates are still calling for swifter and more effective solutions.

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