On February 16, 2026, Dr. Lertluck Leelaruangsang, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), commenced an active campaign across Chinatown aimed at reducing PM2.5 levels amid the peak of Chinese New Year celebrations. This hands-on outreach, conducted at the Lao Pun Tao Kong and Kwang Ee Shrines, underscores a shift toward direct public engagement, focusing on changing behaviors to protect the city’s air quality. Dr. Lertluck spoke with shrine caretakers and residents, highlighting the urgent need to rethink traditional practices like burning incense, candles, and joss paper. While these acts are deeply rooted in heritage, the BMA’s campaigning efforts focus on the harsh reality that the resulting smoke is a major contributor to air pollution. This seasonal spike in dust particles poses significant threats to those with respiratory issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and increases the long-term risk of cancer for the broader population.
The campaigning efforts extend across all 50 districts, with a heavy emphasis on Samphanthawong, the area with the city’s highest concentration of shrines. Officials are encouraging a more mindful approach to these traditions, encouraging the reduction of incense burners and the utilization of shorter sticks that generate less smoke. Some locations have already embraced modern solutions; for instance, the Lao Pun Tao Kong Shrine has introduced an eco-friendly furnace equipped with a water filtration system that captures dust and pollutants before they can escape into the atmosphere. To ensure these goals are met, the Health Department has installed PM2.5 monitoring devices at key sites to provide real-time air quality warnings. By urging the public to burn only what is necessary and extinguish materials quickly, the BMA seeks to safeguard the city’s air quality without extinguishing the spirit of the holiday. This coordinated campaign reflects a commitment to sustainable air quality that relies on both modern monitoring and community cooperation.
#ReducePM2.5 #ReduceDustReduceSmoke #ChineseNewYear2026 #ThaiChinese
