Ice in the Sky: Thailand’s Experimental Fight Against Air Pollution
AFP/APP
Thailand: In an effort to combat severe air pollution over Bangkok, Thailand has turned to an experimental method involving aircraft spraying a white mist of cold water and dry ice over the city’s thick smog.
The technique, which was first introduced last year, is aimed at reducing the concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air, which has reached levels eight times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum.
The smog crisis, exacerbated by vehicle emissions, crop burning in surrounding areas, and “closed” weather conditions where a warm atmospheric layer traps dust has left over a million people in Thailand suffering from health issues. The country has already incurred more than $88 million in medical expenses since late 2023, according to the public health ministry.
The Royal Rainmaking department’s planes, which fly twice a day, are equipped with large containers of icy water or dry ice, and the goal is to cool the warm atmospheric layer, allowing trapped pollutants to disperse more easily into the upper atmosphere. However, experts remain skeptical about its effectiveness, with critics noting the lack of solid evidence to support the technique.
“We are doing our best to help improve air quality,” said Chanti Detyothin, head of the rainmaking program, although he acknowledged the limitations of the method. While the department claims to have seen a reduction in PM2.5 levels, the effects are not enough to fully eliminate the pollution.
This method is distinct from traditional cloud seeding, where chemicals like silver iodide are introduced into clouds to induce rain. Cloud seeding has had mixed results in terms of both rain production and pollution reduction, and Thailand’s worst smog season occurs during the dry, windless months between December and April, when precipitation is unlikely.
The dry ice used in the operation is provided by Thailand’s oil and gas companies, such as PTT and Bangkok Industrial Gas. However, the environmental impact of releasing solid carbon dioxide into the atmosphere remains unclear. Some environmental groups have criticized the involvement of these energy firms, arguing that their contributions are more about image-building than actual problem-solving.
“The fossil fuel companies are using cilantro to garnish their dish,” said Weenarin Lulitanonda of the Thailand Clean Air Network, suggesting that the companies are focusing more on optics than addressing the root causes of pollution.
The cost of one flight can reach $1,500, and the daily operation can total up to $9,000. While the air quality program continues to experiment with these new methods, experts suggest more cost-effective measures, such as creating low-emission zones or controlling agricultural burning, could provide more substantial long-term solutions.
“We need to address the causes of pollution directly,” said Ekbordin Winijkul of the Asian Institute of Technology. “Before implementing such measures, we need to be confident in the data and understand the true impact.”
As Thailand grapples with the growing health crisis, the search for effective solutions to the air pollution problem continues.
