야당, 깨끗한 공기법 승인을 위해 내각에 압력

The opposition has urged the cabinet to pass a resolution endorsing the Clean Air Bill at its meeting on May 5, urging the government to prioritise public health rather than waiting until the crisis worsens.

The opposition has urged the cabinet to pass a resolution endorsing the Clean Air Bill at its meeting on May 5, urging the government to prioritise public health rather than waiting until the crisis worsens.

Parit Wacharasindhu, a People’s Party MP, issued the plea on Thursday after receiving a petition from a network of civic groups advocating clean air.

He said the opposition was ready to make full use of parliamentary mechanisms to ensure the Clean Air Bill left over from the previous parliament could proceed and be enforced.

Mr Parit said there are two key steps required to move the bill forward. First, the cabinet must pass a resolution confirming the bill before May 12, which marks 60 days after the first sitting of the current House.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is on record as saying that he would only back the version of the bill drafted by his Bhumjaithai Party. That has led to disappointment among civic groups, who contributed to a multi-party draft version that provides for more stringent penalties against polluters.

Mr Parit said the opposition would closely monitor the cabinet’s decision, which is expected at its meeting on May 5.

The opposition has also invited representatives from the Secretariat of the Cabinet to attend a parallel meeting with opposition whips on the same day.

Mr Parit said that if the cabinet endorses any version of the bill, the opposition is ready to support it.

However, if no resolution is issued on May 5, the opposition will demand an explanation, push for reconsideration and press for a decision before the May 12 deadline.

Once endorsed by the cabinet, the bill would proceed to a joint sitting of parliament, where 350 votes would be required. If government coalition parties support the bill, he said, securing sufficient votes should not be a problem.

Mr Parit expressed hope that the government would prioritise the health of Thai people, warning that failure to proceed would undermine years of collaborative efforts and disregard the 26,500 public signatures backing the legislation.

“Abandoning the bill would be like discarding years of work by all sectors and ignoring the voices of 26,500 citizens. We hope the government will not choose that path,” said Mr Parit.

Karndee Leopairote, a Democrat Party list MP, said clean air was a critical issue that would not resolve itself without structural reform, improved technology and stricter controls on pollution at its source.

She said the opposition agreed the bill must move forward because air pollution is not merely an environmental issue, but a threat to human security, public health and long-term economic stability.

Earlier on Thursday, a network of civic groups submitted a petition to the House committee studying measures to tackle forest fires and monitor the PM2.5 fine-dust pollution crisis.

The petition was received by Pimpattara Wichaikul, a Bhumjaithai MP, in her capacity as committee chair.

A representative of the civic group said members were deeply concerned about the situation, describing air pollution as both a social crisis and a structural problem.

The representative said there were fears that the Clean Air Bill stalled in parliament would not be taken up again, despite the severe impact on vulnerable groups.

Ms Pimpattara said that, on behalf of the House committee and the House of Representatives, she was confident the Clean Air Bill was moving in a positive direction, adding that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stated that clean air is a fundamental right of the people.

Importantly, the bill has already made significant progress and does not need to start again from scratch, she said.

Asked whether the bill would meet the May 12 deadline, she replied: “I have spoken with all sides. This matter will definitely move forward.”

A representative from a network of civic groups advocating clean air hands a petition to Parit Wacharasindhu, a party-list MP from the People’s Party and a representative of the opposition bloc, at parliament on Thursday. (Photo: TP channel, Thai parliament media)