PATTAYA, THAILAND – Authorities in Pattaya launched a new campaign urging residents, farmers and businesses to stop all open burning in an effort to cut PM2.5 fine dust pollution and protect public health.
Campaign against open burning
Under the slogan “Stop Open Burning, Reduce PM 2.5 Dust”, the city called on the public to end outdoor fires to improve air quality. Officials said their goal was to jointly reduce PM2.5 levels, which particularly affected children, elderly people and those with chronic illnesses.
Dry season smog and main sources
The city administration stated that PM2.5 pollution was especially severe during the dry season and agricultural harvest periods. Open burning of trees, grass, rice straw and waste was identified as a main source, as the resulting smoke accumulated in the atmosphere.
Health impacts under scrutiny
According to the authorities, prolonged exposure to fine dust significantly increased the risk of respiratory diseases, heart conditions and allergies. They warned that young children, older people and those with existing chronic conditions were particularly vulnerable, and that extended smog episodes further reduced their quality of life.
Government measures and monitoring
Government agencies said they had long relied on preventive measures, including the monitoring and tracking of fire hotspots through satellite systems. At the same time, intensive information campaigns were underway in communities to raise awareness of the dangers of open burning and to encourage changes in behavior.
Alternatives for agricultural waste
Authorities promoted alternatives to burning crop residues, such as ploughing them back into the soil, turning them into compost or finding other useful applications for agricultural waste. They also stressed that violations of existing bans on open fires in designated restricted zones would be strictly punished to ensure compliance with the rules.
Hotline to report illegal fires
The city of Pattaya explicitly called on all residents to refrain from burning any kind of waste outdoors and to use environmentally friendly disposal methods instead. Illegal fires were to be reported via the municipal hotline 1337 so officials could respond quickly and prevent new hotspots from spreading.
Shared responsibility for clean air
Authorities said that “Stop Burning” now meant reducing fine dust, creating clean air and thereby protecting the health of families and neighborhoods in the long term.
“Stop burning means cutting fine dust, creating clean air and protecting the health of families and neighborhoods in the long term.”
said local authorities, according to the city’s presentation.
Pattaya appealed to all social groups to cooperate by giving up open burning in order to lower PM2.5 pollution and sustainably improve quality of life in the region.