BANGKOK, Thailand – Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is intensifying measures to control dust pollution from 246 high-rise construction projects in the city center, as part of the government’s national agenda to tackle PM2.5 pollution.
The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning has enforced stricter regulations under the Building Control Act and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements to mitigate dust emissions from construction sites. Violators face penalties, including fines and up to six months in prison.
The government, led by the Prime Minister, has elevated PM2.5 pollution to a national priority, targeting industrial and construction sectors as key contributors. The construction industry, in particular, has been identified as a significant source of dust, especially in densely built urban areas. Measures include mandatory dust control practices such as covering construction materials, spraying water to suppress dust, and using advanced dust-reduction technologies.
The Department of Public Works has issued Ministerial Regulation No. 67 to address dust dispersion from construction sites. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 100,000 baht, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, EIA violations carry penalties of up to 60,000 baht and three months in jail. These regulations aim to reduce the health impacts of PM2.5 and PM10 dust particles, which are prevalent during foundational work and material transportation.
In Bangkok’s inner districts, 246 high-rise projects are under strict monitoring. These include condominiums, office buildings, hotels, hospitals, and large gas stations. The BMA has mandated that contractors adhere to dust control measures, such as washing truck wheels before leaving construction sites and regularly spraying water to minimize dust dispersion.
The Ministry of Transport has also implemented measures to reduce vehicle emissions, a major source of PM2.5. The Deputy Prime Minister has ordered the Department of Land Transport to monitor public buses, trucks, and modified vehicles in high-pollution areas. Trucks with six or more wheels that are not on the Green List are banned from entering nine inner Bangkok districts.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) has also tightened controls on dust emissions from major infrastructure projects, such as the Orange and Purple Line extensions. Contractors are required to cover construction materials, spray water regularly, and comply with EIA standards.
These coordinated efforts aim to address Bangkok’s PM2.5 crisis, which has significant implications for public health and economic growth. By enforcing stricter regulations and fostering public-private collaboration, the government hopes to reduce pollution and improve air quality in the capital. (NNT)
