Bangkok air worse than Delhi? Pollution masks a must for Thailand holidays

Bangkok, the metropolis of gastronomic delights, infamous nightlife and swarming tourists, now has another sobriquet: it’s one of Asia’s most polluted cities, at least in the past couple of weeks.

Concentrations of tiny, airborne PM2.5 particles that damage health on some days topped levels in New Delhi and Beijing, the more traditional poster-cities for the perils of smog. The national rainmaking agency flew sorties over Bangkok for the first time ever this week to try and wash away the haze.

The sight of shrouded skyscrapers and pedestrians wearing masks isn’t ideal for a country that relies on tourism for economic growth and