Capital city, Thailand
Air quality in Bangkok
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Bangkok was 23 µg/m³ in 2021, about 4.6 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. PM2.5 from traffic and crop burning often reaches unhealthy levels in Jan–Mar; check IQAir and wear an N95 on bad days.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 23 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Bangkok.
- PM10: 44 µg/m³ (2021).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 31 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: Jan–Mar.
- Recent average: 23.1 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2015 |
Air quality across Thailand
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Udon Thani | 13 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Phuket | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Patong | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Kanchanaburi | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Hat Yai | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Kata Beach | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Rawai | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Bangkok | 23 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Chiang Mai | 26.5 µg/m³ | Very polluted |
| Khon Kaen | 30 µg/m³ | Very polluted |
| Chiang Rai | 32 µg/m³ | Very polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Bangkok bad?
Polluted: 23 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 4.6× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Jan–Mar.
When is the air worst in Bangkok?
PM2.5 from traffic and crop burning often reaches unhealthy levels in Jan–Mar; check IQAir and wear an N95 on bad days.
How does Bangkok compare with the rest of Thailand?
People in Thailand breathe 23 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 23 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- BTS Skytrain
- MRT (Bangkok Expressway and Metro)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Don Mueang Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Grab Thailand service areas
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.