Bangkok flights diverted as toxic smog reduces visibility to 150 meters

Bangkok is currently grappling with hazardous air pollution, leading to significant disruptions in air travel. On Sunday, flights were diverted from Don Mueang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport due to visibility dropping to just 150 meters amidst thick smog. Among the affected flights was AirAsia X from Harbin, which was rerouted, while others circled above the airport waiting for conditions to improve. PM2.5 levels at Don Mueang reached a dangerous 64.7 µg/m³, nearly double the safe limit, prompting health warnings for residents. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has urged residents to wear masks and limit outdoor activities while taking measures to reduce emissions. The city has been facing worsening pollution for weeks, with officials attributing it to traffic, industrial emissions, and agricultural burning.