A Thai court on Friday, January 19, ordered the government to propose within 90 days an emergency plan against air pollution, which is expected to reach high levels in the coming months in the kingdom.
The administrative court in Chiang Mai, in the north of the country, called on the government agency in charge of the environment to present "preventative measures to combat pollution both in the short and long term", according to the verdict.
The judges also considered that the previous cabinet, led by former putschist general Prayut Chan-O-Cha, had “neglected its duty and acted too slowly” in the face of the deterioration of the situation.
Bangkok among the most polluted cities in the world
A group of Chiang Mai residents, which includes academics and activists, filed a complaint last year, following a severe episode of air pollution in the kingdom.
Bangkok and Chiang Mai were among the most polluted cities in the world at the time, due to smoke from forest fires and stubble burning, as well as emissions from vehicles and industries.
New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, inaugurated in August, has promised to place the fight against air pollution among her priorities.
His government submitted a bill to this effect at the beginning of January, which notably plans to make polluters pay fines above certain limits.
Bangkok was among the twenty most polluted cities in the world on Friday morning, according to air quality monitoring company IQAir.
Pollution peaks are expected at least until April, during the dry season.
With AFP
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