Thailands Clean ...
Thailands Clean Air Bill Advances Amid Ongoing Pollution Challenges
Thailand is making significant strides in its legislative efforts to combat air pollution with the advancement of the Clean Air Bill. This proposed law aims to introduce comprehensive air quality controls, addressing pollution sources across the nation. The initiative comes in response to severe air pollution resulting from agricultural burning, industrial emissions, and transportation-related pollutants.In recent months, hazardous air quality levels in Bangkok have led to the closure of over 350 schools and the implementation of voluntary work-from-home measures. Authorities also restricted six-wheel trucks from certain parts of the city to mitigate pollution. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt attributed the pollution to vehicle emissions, trash burning, and seasonal crop burning. In response, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a week of free public transport on systems like the BTS SkyTrain and MRT to encourage reduced vehicle use.The Clean Air Bill, first proposed by civic groups in 2019, has gained momentum amid these environmental challenges. In November 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MNRE) proposed a draft of the bill to prevent pollution and ease governmental restrictions on pollution control. By January 2024, the House of Representatives approved seven drafts of the Clean Air Act, leading to the formation of a 39-member parliamentary committee, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, to refine the bill before its final readings.As of January 2025, officials expressed confidence that the Clean Air Act would pass the House of Representatives by April 2025. The government's timeline anticipates the final draft to be ready by mid-February, followed by the House's second and third readings, with the Senate reviewing the bill within 30 days post-approval. If enacted, the Clean Air Act is expected to come into effect later in 2025, marking a pivotal step towards addressing Thailand's air pollution crisis.This legislative progress underscores Thailand's commitment to environmental reform and the health of its citizens, reflecting a concerted effort to tackle the root causes of air pollution through robust policy measures.
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