Dr. Jetsada Urges Minister to Stop Ineffective PM 2.5 Water Spraying

Khaosod•Society•2d ago

Reader Briefing

An academic urges the Minister of Interior to halt ineffective and costly PM 2.5 dust-reduction efforts, specifically the spraying of water by local authorities.

•Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripant, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, has appealed to Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul.
•The appeal is to revoke orders directing provincial authorities to carry out water spraying for PM 2.5 reduction.
•Dr. Jetsada argues this method is ineffective, wasteful of resources, and potentially counterproductive by increasing emissions.

Overview

•Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripant appealed to Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to revoke orders for water spraying to reduce PM 2.5 dust.
•Dr. Jetsada stated that water spraying is ineffective for dust reduction, as portrayed in public images.
•The water spraying method is deemed a waste of budget, labor, and water, with this year anticipated to experience drought.
•Water spraying operations can also increase dust and smoke emissions due to the engines of water spray trucks.
•There is a concern that the practice may create opportunities for unnecessary multi-million baht procurement of water spraying equipment.
•Dr. Jetsada suggested consulting with Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Dr. Yosachanan Wongsuwan or environmental academics for alternative viewpoints.
•Dr. Jetsada also proposed consulting with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt regarding the discontinuation of water spraying in Bangkok.
•Bangkok has shifted focus to more effective measures for PM 2.5 reduction, indicating a move away from water spraying.

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Key Quotes

Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripant

"I would like to ask Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, as the Minister of Interior (former and current), to order the Director-General of the Department of Local Administration to revoke the order directing all provincial governors to inform provincial administrative organizations, sub-district administrative organizations, and municipalities to proceed with water spraying to reduce PM 2.5 dust."

ขอรบกวน นายอนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล ในฐานะรัฐมนตรีกระทรวงมหาดไทย (คนก่อนและคนปัจจุบัน) สั่งการให้ อธิบดีกรมส่งเสริมการปกครองท้องถิ่น ยกเลิกคำสั่ง ที่ให้ผู้ว่าฯทุกจังหวัด แจ้ง อบจ. อบต. เทศบาลให้ดำเนินการฉีดพ่นน้ำลดฝุ่น PM 2.5

Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripant

"Because it is not actually effective in reducing dust as portrayed, and it is also a waste of budget, labor, and water (this year water will be scarce). It also creates more dust and smoke from the engines of water spray trucks."

เพราะมันทั้งไม่เวิร์กจริงในการลดฝุ่นอย่างที่สร้างภาพกัน และยังเป็นการสิ้นเปลืองงบประมาณ สิ้นเปลืองแรงงาน สิ้นเปลืองน้ำ (ปีนี้น้ำจะแล้งด้วย) แถมสร้างฝุ่นควันเยอะขึ้นจากเครื่องยนต์ของรถพ่นน้ำ

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Jetsada(อ.เจษฎา)

Academic at Chulalongkorn University urging authorities to stop an ineffective anti-pollution measure.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน)ℹ️

Minister of Interior (former and current) tasked with addressing the appeal.

Dr. Yosachanan Wongsuwan(อ.เชน (ยศชนัน วงศ์สวัสดิ์))

Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation consulted for opinions on environmental matters.

Chadchart Sittipunt(อ.ชัชชาติ)ℹ️

Governor of Bangkok consulted for insights on why water spraying for PM 2.5 has ceased in the capital.

Organization

Department of Local Administration(กรมปกครองท้องถิ่น)

Government department that issued the orders for water spraying.

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️

Academic institution where Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripant teaches.