Thailand currently ranks 20th out of 180 countries worldwide in terms of the healthcare cost burden caused by PM2.5 fine-particle pollution, The Nation reported, citing the figures presented at a recent seminar.

Prolonged air pollution also reduces the productivity of indoor and outdoor workers, increases absenteeism, curbs consumer spending, cuts tourism revenue and depresses property values in heavily polluted areas.

In the longer term, persistent smog during each dry season is hampering Thailand's efforts to attract highly skilled workers and high-spending tourists, as well as undermining the quality of its future workforce due to its adverse effects on children's physical and intellectual development.

Against this backdrop, environmental activists and economists warned that continued delays in passing the Clean Air Bill in the Thai Parliament are becoming a major obstacle to the country’s sustainable economic growth.