In Bangkok, nearly 200 schools closed due to hazardous air pollution levels reaching 122 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5, far exceeding the WHO guideline. Local authorities encouraged work-from-home practices but participation is voluntary. The closures, affecting thousands of students, reflect a severe challenge that exacerbates educational inequalities, especially for vulnerable populations. The move marks the highest number of school closures since 2020, highlighting the ongoing struggle with seasonal air pollution in Thailand, influenced by smoke, stagnant winter air, and urban emissions.
"There really needs to be a wake-up call on the need to invest in the education system and protect children," she told AFP.
By Thursday morning, 194 of the 437 schools under the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority had shut their doors, affecting thousands of students.
Collection
[
|
...
]