Getting random phone alerts? Don't panic, it's Bangkok's air quality system

If your phone starts buzzing with alerts mid-way to work this morning, don't worry. There's actually a pretty good reason for it.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has just rolled out a new real-time PM2.5 air pollution alert system using Cell Broadcast technology. The clever bit is that you don't need to download anything at all. When you wander into areas with red level dust, your phone will ping you automatically with a warning.

And judging by today's readings, you might be hearing from it quite a bit. The city's average PM2.5 level has hit 58.5 87.2 µg/m³, with 50 areas across Bangkok showing orange level pollution (anything above 37.5 87.2 µg/m³e breaks the safety threshold).

Here's where the air is particularly grim right now. Top five PM2.5 levels by district in Bangkok.

1. Bang Rak District: 87.2 µg/m³
2. Sathon District: 74.6 µg/m³  
3. Chatuchak District: 74 µg/m³
4. Pathum Wan District: 72.6 µg/m³
5. Prawet District: 71.7 µg/m³

If you're heading out today, we recommend wearing a PM2.5 mask, skipping your outdoor run and keeping tabs on air quality through the AirBKK app. 

The administration says it's committed to protecting public health and tackling air pollution through coordinated action. In the meantime, maybe that work from home request doesn't sound so unreasonable after all.