Already on Thursday, authorities in the metropolis urged all residents who could to work from home and demanded restrictions on all vehicle traffic.
On Friday, 352 of the capital region's total 437 schools were closed – the largest number since 2020, when all were closed due to smog.
From Saturday, Bangkok residents will be able to ride buses and trams for free, announces Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
We hope this will contribute to reducing pollution, he says.
Seasonal periods of severe air pollution often affect Thailand, where cold stagnant winter air combined with exhaust fumes from vehicle traffic and smoke from slash-and-burn agriculture are cited as some of the causes.
