Bangkok: Pollution Control Department inspects air quality, finds various toxic substances in varying amounts depending on distance from fire, and advises people in risk areas on what to do.

According to Thai News Agency, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported the results of its investigation into a fire at a furniture factory in Soi Chalong Krung 55, Lat Krabang District, Bangkok. The fire, which began on May 11, 2015, occurred in a warehouse building storing plastic products such as kitchen furniture and sinks. There were two single-story warehouses, including a basement floor used for storing products. At the time of the incident, a large amount of black smoke was seen rising from the fire.

Today (May 12, 2025), the Pollution Control Department went to the area to measure chemical vapors and hazardous gases from fires using air quality measurement equipment at seven locations within a 5-kilometer radius from 11:55 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Downwind community areas within a range of 1-5 kilometers, totaling five locations, including Thiw Phai Phatthana Community, Thong Samrit School/Wat, Flora Ville Village, Thippawat Temple, and Sap Charoen Village, detected several chemicals. These included formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, and volatile organic compounds such as methyl mercaptan and vinyl chloride, but were found at low levels that did not affect immediate respiratory health.

Community areas within 150 meters of the fire, including the Lio Village and the area next to the warehouse on Soi Chalong Krung 55, experienced a strong smell of burning plastic. They found formaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, and phosgene at levels that can cause immediate respiratory effects, as well as traces of vinyl chloride and ethylbenzene. At the fire site, staff must wear protective suits and chemical filter masks due to the thick black smoke from burning plastic materials, especially in the basement where plastic pellets are stored, which affects communities within a distance of no more than 200 meters.

In response, the Lat Krabang District Office established an incident command center at Lamphong School (Rat Chamroen Bamrung) and announced the evacuation of people in risk areas. The Pollution Control Department has provided guidelines for the public, advising evacuation to areas with fresh air upwind from the incident and seeking medical attention if experiencing skin or eye irritation.

For continuous monitoring of air quality, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, has ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to closely monitor the situation. Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has urged the Pollution Control Department to cooperate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to support emergency response and conduct air quality monitoring to protect the health safety of people in risk areas urgently.