Thailand is grappling with severe air pollution, especially during the dry season, which has led to significant health risks and forced the closure of over 350 schools in February 2025. Bangkok was ranked the fourth most polluted city in the world, with air quality levels far exceeding safety limits. The situation is worsened by transboundary smog from neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia, where forest fires contribute to regional haze. To combat the pollution, Thailand has deployed cloud seeding techniques through the Royal Rainmaking Project, which aims to induce rainfall and improve air quality.
Despite these efforts, persistent pollution remains a major challenge, exacerbated by local agricultural burning and cross-border haze. The smog has caused widespread health issues, especially for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations. In response, the Thai government has introduced measures like free public transportation and school closures to limit exposure. However, experts urge stronger regional cooperation to address the transboundary smog and stricter regulations on agricultural burning to achieve long-term air quality improvement. More