Bangkok: The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is taking steps to address the PM2.5 pollution crisis by allocating funds towards the creation of dust-free rooms. This initiative comes in response to proposals from the National Human Rights Commission and aims to tackle both the root causes and consequences of the pollution.

According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Yotsanulok Wongsawat, addressed claims by the People's Party that constructing a PM2.5-free room would only cost 2,000 baht. He emphasized the importance of addressing urgent needs promptly and affirmed the Ministry's readiness to support necessary initiatives. Recent field visits aimed to highlight Thai technology and the PM2.5 issues in the northern region, which also affect the North, Central, and Northeast areas, underscoring the need for comprehensive assistance.

Mr. Yotsanan clarified that while some budget allocations have been redirected to emergency relief, many aspects of the dust-free room construction are already covered. He expressed the significance of inter-ministerial cooperation in addressing public hardships. The Ministry has been actively communicating the issue in phases, focusing on both immediate symptom relief through positive pressure rooms and dust filters, and long-term solutions by analyzing root causes such as agricultural practices and burning.

Mr. Yotchanan also highlighted the importance of integrated efforts, including the adoption of electric vehicles and weather pattern analysis, to address PM2.5 pollution. Collecting dust data for immediate analysis is crucial for identifying sources. Coordination with Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul is ongoing, and cabinet ministers are set to visit Chiang Mai province to assess the situation firsthand. This collaborative effort is deemed essential for effectively tackling the pollution problem.