Air quality update: Schools ordered to close for 2 days.

The Ministry of Education has ordered certain schools in areas where the pollution is in crisis levels to close for 2 days. This includes schools of all levels, colleges and universities both in Bangkok and the nearby areas.

 

 

Teerapat Charoensetsilp, MD, from the Ministry of Education has come out to report to the public on the 30th of this month. He stated that the levels of PM2.5 particles in Bangkok and the nearby provinces is on the level in which it can affect the health of those exposed to the tiny particles. The Ministry along with other responsible government sectors have come together with an agreement to order schools in Bangkok to close down for 2 days, beginning from the 30th at 12.00 to the 1st of February.

 

The schools include public and private schools, vocational colleges, and universities. Schools that are ordered to close down will have no teaching at all on the 31st of this month and the 1st of February. On the 4th of February there will be another evaluation to the situation of PM2.5 in different areas throughout Bangkok and the nearby provinces.

 

On the 2nd to the 3rd of February the ONET exam will be taking place for Students in Grade 6 and Grade 9 for students all over the nation. The exam will continue as it is too late to reschedule the nation wide exam.

 

Hopefully, the order to close down schools in affected areas will result in less pollution production on those days. Avoiding the pollution for two days does not change the fact that the air is not safe to breathe in your home. If you happen to be residing in areas of orange or red zones it is strongly recommended to wear masks at all times unless you have air filters in your home. The air quality index (AQI) in your area can be checked at air4thai.pcd.go.th and the same application available to download on your smartphone.

 

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