Chiang Mai is ranked as having the world’s second-worst air pollution today, following Kathmandu in Nepal, while Bangkok is ranked fifth, according to the IQAir website, which measures air quality in cities around the world.

The ten cities with the worst air pollution today, as quantified in the air quality index (AQI), are:

1. Kathmandu (171)
2. Chiang Mai (161)
3. Karachi (153)
4. Kampala (152)
5. Bangkok (152)
6. Delhi (135)
7. Calcutta (132)
8. Jakarta (132)
9. Medan (126)
10. Lahore (121)

In Bangkok, the PM2.5 level exceeds the 37.5µg/m³ threshold in these areas:

• Bang Khun Thian district, inside the district office, 41.6µg/m³
• Taling Chan district at the intersection of Phutthamonthon and Borommaratchachonnani roads, 41.0µg/m³
• Khlong San district, in front of the library under Taksin bridge, 40.8µg/m³
• Bangkok Yai district, at Tha Phra intersection, 40.2µg/m³
• Chatuchak district, in front of Kasetsart University, 39.2µg/m³
• Thawee Wattana district, at the road access to Sanam Luang 2, 39.1µg/m³
• Nong Khaem district, on Ma Charoen Road Phet Kasem 81, 39.1µg/m³
• Bang Phlat district, inside the district office, 38.5µg/m³
• Ratburana district, inside the district office, 38.5µg/m³
• Bang Sue district, inside the district office, 38.4µg/m³
• Bang Bon district, near Bang Bon market, 38.1µg/m³
• Samphanthawong, district near Odeon Circle, 38.1µg/m³

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department is advising people in the northern, north-eastern and eastern regions to brace for possible summer storms from Friday until next Tuesday, due to the westerly wind blowing over the northern and north-eastern regions.