In 2021, government expenditure on environmental protection in Thailand was expected to be approximately 14.7 billion Thai Baht. This was an increase in expenditure over the previous year which was approximately 11.6 billion Thai Baht. That year, the highest amount of the national budget allocated for environmental management in the country went to wastewater and water quality.
Status of environmental pollution in BMR
The Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) is one of the most polluted cities in Southeast Asia due to the low volume of wastewater treatment facilities, heavy traffic and industrial activity. In 2021, Bangkok ranked thirteenth in the pollution index score for the Asia Pacific region. Air pollution is one of the main environmental issues for Bangkok. The average level of particulate matter (PM 2.5) in Bangkok in 2020 was 52 mg/m3. This happened mainly due to congested traffic and industrial areas. Fine particles of PM 2.5 are harmful to human health such as having a negative effect on the lungs and causing asthma.
Thai citizens’ attitudes on environmental pollution
Since 2016, the number of complaints regarding environmental pollution in Thailand had been increasing steadily, with more than 18,000 cases being registered in 2020. This meant that pollution in the country has not improved over the years. Furthermore, air pollution was the biggest pollution issue for Thai citizens that year, followed by solid and hazardous waste issues.
