Thai authorities have made travel by public transport in Bangkok free for a week, the latest tactic to try to tackle soaring levels of air pollution that have already seen hundreds of schools closed and employees working from home.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered free public transport in Bangkok for one week, starting on Feb. 25, in a move to deal with the alarming air pollution in the capital city.

BANGKOK: Air pollution forced nearly 200 schools in Bangkok to close on Thursday (Jan 23), local authorities said, as officials urged people to work from home and restricted heavy vehicles in the city.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration urged people to work from home for the rest of the week if they can, with air pollution forecast to worsen after already forcing the temporary closure of more than a dozen schools.

Air pollution in the Thai capital forced more than 350 schools to close on Friday, city authorities said, the highest number in five years. Bangkok officials also announced free public transport for a week in a bid to reduce traffic in a city notorious for noxious exhaust fumes.

Bangkok is offering free public transport for a week to combat rising air pollution levels, which have led to school closures and remote work. The initiative aims to reduce car usage, one significant pollution contributor.