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

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 has forced the closure of more than 350 schools, city authorities said, as Bangkok was ranked the world’s seventh-most polluted major city by air quality monitor IQAir.