Secondary Green Crime: Bangkok’s PM2.5 Pollution and Policy Corruption

Abstract

Air pollution has been widely studied as a primary green crime, but its relationship with secondary green crime has not been well investigated in Thailand. This article explores the link between particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) pollution in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area and policy corruption, treating it as a secondary green crime. The study conducted documentary research, in-depth interviews, focus groups and a qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate that certain human activities could subsequently enable air pollution to occur and that corruption between the government and corporations seeking economic gain under favourable policies is a significant contributing factor. Business elites also play a role in environmental policy deadlock. Four sectors (i.e., vehicles and traffic congestion, construction, industrial factories and power plants, and agricultural burning) were identified as sources of PM2.5 pollution related to policy corruption. This suggests that addressing policy corruption is a necessary part of preventing PM2.5 pollution.