The House of Representatives has unanimously approved the much-anticipated Clean Air Management Bill with 309 votes in favour, marking a major legislative milestone in efforts to improve air quality nationwide.
Presided over by Deputy House Speaker Chaiya Promma, parliament passed the bill on Tuesday after nearly a month of deliberation. Initially comprising 104 sections, the draft expanded to almost 300 following detailed revisions by a parliamentary committee.
It was approved in its third reading with 309 votes in favour, none against and four abstentions. The bill will now be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham, chairman of the committee, thanked parliament and apologised for the lengthy process, describing the law as both “an engine and a weapon” to reclaim clean air for Thai people. He expressed hope the Senate would approve it swiftly, noting the annual burning season begins in December.
The People’s Party (PP) posted on Facebook that the bill was first initiated by civil society in 2019, before the PP proposed the draft in 2023. It was refined through cooperation between the public sector, political parties and state agencies, aiming to combat domestic and cross-border air pollution — the main cause of PM2.5 microdust in Thailand.
If the Senate completes its review within 30 days, the process could be finalised before parliament is expected to be dissolved in January. The PP pledged to monitor the review closely and provide information to ensure the bill’s core principles remain intact. Any revisions would be vetted by parliament by December.