The city of Bangkok has instructed its workers to telecommute in order to reduce the effects of dangerous air pollution, as a thick layer of harmful haze covered the capital of Thailand on Thursday.

The city officials requested the cooperation of employers in assisting the 11 million residents of the city in avoiding the pollution, which is projected to continue until Friday.

On Thursday morning, the air quality tracking site IQAir listed Bangkok as one of the top 10 most polluted cities globally.

IQAir reported that the levels of PM2.5 particles, which are small enough to enter the bloodstream, were over 15 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended yearly limit.

On Wednesday evening, Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, announced that all city workers will be working remotely on Thursday and Friday.

In a statement, he requested the collaboration of the BMA network, which consists of approximately 151 companies and organizations from both the public and private sectors. He also mentioned that there were over 60,000 individuals impacted.

BMA stands for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

According to Chadchart, approximately 20 out of Bangkok’s 50 districts are likely to experience high levels of PM2.5 particles, and this issue will persist due to calm weather conditions.

The air quality in Thailand often declines during the first few months of the year due to a combination of smoke from farmers burning crop residue in fields and pollution from industries and vehicles.

Last year, both Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai were among the most polluted cities in the world for several days.

A concerning public health issue is on the rise due to pollution, with an estimated two million individuals in Thailand requiring medical care in 2023.

The new administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who assumed office in August, has committed to prioritizing the issue of air pollution on a national level. In fact, a proposed Clean Air Act was approved by the Cabinet just last month.

However, the issue continues and a court in Chiang Mai recently mandated the government to develop a prompt strategy to address air pollution within 90 days.