Bangkok fights against black smoke: new measures from November 2025!

Bangkok fights against black smoke: new measures from November 2025!

“Dust season” has arrived in Bangkok and air quality is increasingly becoming the topic of the week. governor Chat chart Sitthiphan recently took a closer look at the situation surrounding vehicles emitting black smoke. The main causes of the problems with PM2.5 are diverse: In addition to unfavorable weather conditions, diesel vehicles and the burning of biomass in the area also play a significant role.

To combat the vicious circle of poor air quality, new measures have been introduced. The limit for measuring black smoke has been tightened from 30% to 20%, and these stricter standards have been in effect since November 1, 2025. Forecasts predict a 24% improvement in air quality, which could certainly give citizens some breathing room.

Reviews and consequences

An inspection of around 900 vehicles found 21 vehicles did not meet the new standards. These included two vehicles with smoke levels over 30% that were subject to severe penalties and now need to be repaired to comply with regulations. These measures are just part of a broader strategy, which also includes the introduction of a so-called low emissions zone for trucks over 6 tons.

But that's not all. The Green List shown here means that trucks must be checked before driving in poor air quality. Private vehicles can commit to reducing PM2.5 emissions through the new program, which offers incentives such as discounts on oil changes and air filter replacements. These measures could potentially reduce emissions by up to 42%!

Air quality monitoring and apps for citizens

Another helpful aspect for Bangkok residents is the ability to track air quality levels in real time via the Air BKK and Air4Thai apps. The city administration is also calling on diesel vehicle owners to participate in the Green List Plus program and report vehicles with black smoke using the Traffy Fondue app. By actively involving the population, the issue of air pollution should be brought into greater focus.

However, the challenges do not end there: near Nakhon Nayok, for example, over 5,000 rai are affected by the problem of biomass burning. The governor has already made a proposal to reduce the time period to fix black smoke emissions from 30 days to 3 days. Looking ahead, a forecast is also made that peak air pollution levels are expected in January 2026, and levels could potentially slip into the orange zone as early as the week of November 6th to 8th.

In a country where air quality often takes a backseat, the city administration seems to have a knack for improving the situation. We can only hope that the measures deliver tangible results and that the passionate citizens of Bangkok can soon breathe easy again.