Assessing urban growth and pollution through nightlight data: a case study in Thailand

Linking urban growth and CO concentrations via nightlights

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/12394

Keywords:

Nightlight remote sensing, Seasonal patterns, Urban air pollution, Urban planning, VIIRS data

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between urban development and air pollution in Thailand by analyzing remote sensing nightlight data and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations over six years (2019-2024). Using data from VIIRS Day/Night Band (DNB) satellite imagery, CO levels, electricity consumption, and lignite production, the study finds a significant positive correlation (Pearson coefficient = 0.586) between nightlight intensity and CO concentrations. This suggests that nightlight data can be an effective tool for monitoring urban-related pollution. Seasonal and regression analyses show that urban growth contributes to pollution, but this is influenced by seasonal patterns and energy consumption. Multiple regression models highlight nightlight intensity as the strongest predictor of CO levels, with energy factors adding significant explanatory power. Regional analysis identifies the Bangkok Metropolitan Region as having the highest nightlight intensity and CO levels (correlation = 0.598). Lag correlation analysis suggests that changes in CO and nightlight intensity are most strongly correlated at zero lag, with CO changes slightly leading in some areas. These findings have implications for urban planning, environmental policy, and public health in Southeast Asia.

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Author Biographies

Chaichana Kulworatit, Department of Computer Science, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

He is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand. His teaching areas include Geographic Information Systems Analysis, Web Mining, and Calculus for Computer Science. His research interests focus on Computer Architecture, Data Science, and Geographic Information Systems, with particular emphasis on spatial analysis, geospatial data processing, and the integration of remote sensing data within GIS frameworks. He has contributed to peer-reviewed international publications involving the application of GIS-based methods to analyze urban and environmental spatial phenomena.

Phuvis Kerdpramote, Department of Computer Science, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

He is a student in the Department of Computer Science, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand. His interests lie in data science and geographic information systems (GIS), with a focus on data-driven analysis and the application of computational methods to real-world problems. His academic experience includes contributing to peer-reviewed research involving machine learning and computer vision techniques for robust data analysis in applied domains. In addition to his academic work, he works as a data science trainer for both government and private sector organizations.

Saranya Saetang, Department of Computer Science, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

She is a lecturer in the Department of Computational Science and Digital Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Her expertise lies in data analysis and natural language processing, with research interests encompassing knowledge management, information technology, and computational approaches to educational and user-centered systems. Her academic contributions include peer-reviewed publications that apply data-driven methods to investigate human-technology interaction and information systems in applied contexts.

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Published

30-04-2026

How to Cite

Kulworatit, C., Kerdpramote, P., & Saetang, S. (2026). Assessing urban growth and pollution through nightlight data: a case study in Thailand : Linking urban growth and CO concentrations via nightlights . TeMA - Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, 19(1), 41–61. https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/12394

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026): NEW CHALLENGES FOR CITIES IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: Regenerative Design - Climate Adaptation & Mitigation - Circular Economy - Citizen Agency - Urban Livability

Section

LUME (Land Use, Mobility and Environment)

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Chaichana Kulworatit, Phuvis Kerdpramote, Saranya Saetang

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

  

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