Cambodia rejects Thai media claims linking border fires to Bangkok smog
A screenshot of an article by The Nation dated January 15, which alleges that Cambodian fires contributed to Bangkok’s air pollution crisis, is overlaid with a red "UNETHICAL NEWS" stamp. The Cambodian Ministry of Environment has officially rejected the report, labelling it as misleading and lacking scientific evidence.
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The Ministry of Environment has firmly rejected a report by Thai news outlet The Nation, which claimed that air pollution in Bangkok was significantly caused by fires in Cambodia, calling the assertion misleading and devoid of technical evidence.
The ministry issued the clarification following a January 15 article titled, “Bangkok Suffocates in PM2.5 as Cambodia’s Fires Contribute to Crisis.” The report alleged that transboundary smoke played a major role in the recent spike of PM2.5 particulate matter in the Thai capital.
Cambodian officials said that Bangkok’s elevated pollution levels are primarily driven by domestic sources, including heavy traffic congestion, industrial activity, and construction dust. The ministry said that these emissions are exacerbated by local weather conditions, such as temperature inversions, which trap pollutants near the ground.
Data from monitoring stations near the Cambodia–Thailand border showed only a slight increase in PM2.5 concentrations, remaining within the “yellow” air-quality index range. The ministry argued that this data discredits the claim that pollution was being transported to Bangkok.
“Cambodia is currently affected by the northeast monsoon, with prevailing winds blowing towards the sea, not towards Bangkok,” the statement said, citing maps from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre. It added that stagnant weather conditions in the region further restrict the long-range transport of fine particles.
The ministry urged media organisations to stop sharing “provocative information” that could mislead the public and strain regional relations.
-Khmer Times-
