Bangkok has been shrouded in murky haze for weeks, affecting not just humans but pets as well. With people coughing up blood and pets suffering pollution sickness, residents have started trying to protect themselves by putting on masks while on the streets or in public transport. In fact, stocks of pollution masks have run out in many shops.
Traffic exhausts, factory pollution and uncontrolled construction are all being blamed for the pollution crisis that has hit the Thai capital.
Authorities have seeded clouds to provoke rain, sprayed overpasses with water to catch micro-pollutants and even asked people not to burn incense sticks and paper during Chinese New Year celebrations.
So far, the measures have drawn derision from many Bangkok residents.
On Wednesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ordered all 437 city-controlled public schools to close from lunchtime through Friday, designating 580 square miles of the city a ‘control area’.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said:
The situation will be bad until February 3 to 4, so I decided to close schools.
He added that he hoped the move would also empty the road of cars on the school run.
A spokesperson for the prime minister’s office said private and vocational schools would be closed as well,
Fleets of drones are set to be deployed to disperse sugary liquid solution to help clear the air of microscopic particles.
More photos below.
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