Bangkok's temples and towering buildings shrouded in smog

A cloud of unhealthy haze has settled across the Thai capital Bangkok, shrouding the gilded temples and towering buildings that draw millions of tourists to the city each year.

The country's Pollution Control Department said concentrations of tiny particles known as PM 2.5 that are a benchmark measure of air quality were almost double the levels considered safe.

The smog situation in #Bangkok has worsened today and is now classed as ‘very unhealthy’. At this level, the cheap masks you see in hospitals will not make any difference. It is advisable not to exercise outside https://t.co/uj3U8vtWJy pic.twitter.com/6wB3PYM60X

— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) February 8, 2018

Many Bangkok commuters could be seen sporting surgical masks, while some schools issued warnings about the poor air quality and cancelled outdoor activities

Pollution officials blamed high humidity for contributing to the haze, while environmentalists cited the capital's famously traffic-choked streets.

It may look like it's raining in #Bangkok this morning, but it's not. #nasty #AirPollution #smog pic.twitter.com/1Ir13Zr8um

— Travel News Asia (@TravelNewsAsia) February 8, 2018

- PA