Shocking footage shows a thick blanket of killer smog engulfing Bangkok this morning as officials warned it had become a serious threat to health.<br /><br />The pollution cloud, a deadly mix of fine dust particles and other air pollutants, has been carpeting the Thai capital for three days. It is EIGHT TIMES higher than the safe limit.<br /><br />The smog has been caused by increasing numbers of cars on the road, an explosion in construction projects funded by China, and stagnant weather conditions. <br /><br />Witsanu Attavanich, associate professor of economics at Kasetsart University, said: ''Air pollution is really a silent killer and many Thais underestimate the danger to their health, so not many people protect themselves by wearing a facemask or installing air purifiers at home.''<br /><br />Visibility in some parts of Bangkok was reduced to just 1km while air quality levels rocketed past the safe zone.<br /><br />The PM2.5 air-quality index (AQI) in parts of Bangkok reached a shocking 394 microgrammes per cubic – far past the acceptable limit of 50.<br /><br />Mr Attavanich said he country would face billions of baht in additional health costs unless the severe air pollution was tackled.
