BANGKOK, June 5 (Xinhua) -- On the rooftop of a building at Kasetsart University in northern Bangkok, seven monitoring devices operate around the clock, collecting air samples and transmitting real-time data to an intelligent analysis platform.
This air quality monitoring facility, known as a "Super Station," began operation in April. It is a key achievement of a China-Thailand cooperation initiative aimed at improving air quality in the Thai capital.
Air pollution has become a persistent environmental challenge for Bangkok in recent years. Vehicle emissions, industrial activities and biomass burning from surrounding areas combine to create a complex pollution mix, with air quality often deteriorating during certain seasons.
"Bangkok's air pollution is like a cocktail, made up of multiple sources," said Surat Bualert, associate professor at the Faculty of Environment at Kasetsart University and the Thai lead for the station.
According to Surat, identifying air pollution sources has long been a major challenge for policymakers. In the past, analyzing PM2.5 sources could take up to six months. With the station's real-time monitoring technology, results can now be obtained within hours, significantly improving the efficiency of pollution monitoring and source apportionment.
Wang Benla, technical manager of China's Lihe Technology (Hunan) Co., Ltd., the station supplier, said the station was self-developed and is capable of real-time analysis of particulate matter composition. Equipped with lidar technology, it can also monitor the spatial distribution of pollutants and help researchers identify pollution sources and their relative contributions.
The station has already collected nearly two months of data. Surat said it will eventually be integrated with Bangkok's existing air quality monitoring network, enabling more accurate and timely air quality management and providing scientific support for policy decisions.
In June 2025, the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Federation of Thai Industries and Lihe Technology (Hunan) Co., Ltd. signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening Bangkok's air quality monitoring and pollution management.
Beyond Bangkok, northern and northeastern Thailand have also faced worsening air pollution in recent years. Surat said Thailand is working to build a more comprehensive air pollution management system, while China's experience in air quality monitoring, data analysis and pollution control technologies offers valuable lessons for Thailand.
"Cooperation between Thailand and China can go beyond air pollution control and expand to areas such as water management and carbon reduction," he said. ■