(Photo: Panumate Tanraksa)The ruling Bhumjaithai Party has voiced strong reservations over the Clean Air Bill, warning that if passed into law, it could give excessive powers to state officials and damage the country’s economic competitiveness. He said the haze crisis is not due to a lack of laws, but rather weak enforcement of existing ones. “I want to make it clear that clean air is a fundamental right of the people,” the veteran politician said. He also objected to the creation of multiple new committees and a proposed “Clean Air Office”, which he said could duplicate the role of the Pollution Control Department. Despite the criticism, he said he did not oppose the principle of clean air legislation, but urged lawmakers to ensure any final version genuinely protects public health without harming the economy.

Source: Bangkok Post April 02, 2026 19:53 UTC