PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya is experiencing dangerously high air pollution, with thick PM2.5 haze covering the city and severely reducing visibility along streets and coastal areas.
As of 9:00 a.m. on December 3, air quality monitoring recorded PM2.5 levels at 88.5 µg/m³, pushing the AQI to 174—classified as “hazardous.” The concentration is 17.7 times higher than the WHO’s recommended annual average, posing serious short- and long-term health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
Officials noted the haze is likely caused by burning of agricultural waste in surrounding provinces, heavy urban traffic during the high season, and stagnant weather conditions preventing dispersion. The smog is affecting outdoor activities, including passenger boat operations along the southern Pattaya coast.
Residents and tourists are advised to wear N95 masks, limit outdoor exposure, close doors and windows, and monitor air quality through reliable apps to reduce health risks.
