Bangkok: "We need clean air!" Supachai puts the brakes on the Clean Air Act draft, citing overly redundant structure and excessive power granted to officials, fearing negative impacts on the national economy. Yesterday (April 1, 2026), Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a party-list MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, debated in the House of Representatives, expressing concerns about the Clean Air Act draft, which had passed the House of Representatives and was now under consideration by the Senate. Several MPs argued that the government should continue considering and finalizing the bill before enacting it, but that there should be no rush to do so because...

According to Thai News Agency, the draft overlaps with several existing laws, including environmental, urban planning, and traffic regulations. This redundancy creates confusion regarding which laws might be repealed or replaced, complicating implementation. The establishment of numerous committees at various levels violates public administration principles outlined in Article 77 of the Constitution.

Additionally, the creation of a "Clean Air Office" is seen as unnecessary and potentially duplicative alongside existing agencies like the Pollution Control Department, adding to the budgetary burden. Critics argue that granting officials excessive powers, such as the ability to search, seize property, or halt businesses without warrants, poses risks of abuse, especially as affected citizens are unable to claim compensation.

The draft also proposes imposing fees and risk insurance systems on the industrial sector, which could inflate costs amid a volatile global economy, thereby affecting Thailand's competitiveness. The law's mechanisms remain vague, offering only a broad framework and leaving details to be defined by agencies later, which restricts citizens' rights due to the lack of clarity.

The marketing and enforcement of emission trading, modeled on European systems, may not suit Thailand without a robust regulatory framework. Severe criminal penalties related to transboundary pollution raise concerns about practical enforcement and potential breaches of international norms.

Mr. Supachai emphasized that Thailand's air quality issues stem not from a lack of legislation but from ineffective enforcement of existing laws and structural limitations like inadequate public transport and regional pollution challenges requiring cooperation.

'Making existing laws effective, while designing new laws that are clear, balanced, and fair, is crucial. I am not against the principle of clean air, but I urge everyone to work together to ensure that the law we are about to propose truly protects the public and does not undermine economic potential. Ultimately, we don't need a clean air law; we need sustainably clean air for all Thais,' said Mr. Supachai.