IN PICS: Pollution level soars ALARMINGLY in Bangkok; govt deploys drones for artificial rain

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered inspections of factories to measure the pollution they are emitting. But he warned that implementing radical solutions could cause inconveniences that people might be unwilling to accept. A parent and child wear protective masks for the high levels of air pollution (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A political storm has also arisen in Bangkok with critics calling the drones a meaningless stunt. Governor Asawin acknowledged that drones aren't a long-term solution but said he thinks every bit of effort helps, but he also said that those critising him for drones, would otherwise criticize him for doing nothing. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The city's governor invited critics to brainstorm better ideas to improve the air quality in the Thai capital. In the picture, drone pilots prepare to launch a water-spraying drone before flying over the Suthat Temple in Bangkok on Thursday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

the crisis-level pollution, along with public awareness, has been spurred by meteorological events that trap the noxious pollution. These include a thermal inversion, which keeps the dangerous particles closer to the ground, and weak winds which fail to blow them away. Drone pilots fly a water-spraying drone over the Suthat Temple . (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The air pollution level around Thailand’s capital Bangkok has reached alarming levels this week and in an attempt to curb the thick smog covering the city, authorities had to deploy a fleet of drones, trucks and small planes for artificial rain. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Faced with public discontent as well as a possible health crisis, Bangkok's governor, Police Gen Asawin Kwanmuang, has declared the city a pollution control zone, allowing firmer measures such as road closings and limits on diesel exhaust, outdoor burning and construction activities. Here, a drone is flown over the Suthat Temple. More than 400 schools in Thailand's capital were shut for the rest of the week Wednesday due to increasing concern over dangerously unhealthy air pollution. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit).

The situation is so grim in the city that schools were ordered shut on Wednesday for the rest of the week and the Public Health Ministry advised against outdoor activities. In image, a thick layer of smog covers Lumpini Park in central Bangkok. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)