# Clean Air Bill (Thailand)

The Clean Air Bill (Thai: ร่างพระราชบัญญัติอากาศสะอาด; RTGS: Rang Phra ratchabanyat Akat Sa-at) is a proposed Thai law to introduce comprehensive air quality controls, including addressing pollution sources.

## Background

Thailand faces severe air pollution as a result of the burning of agricultural lands, industrial emissions, and transportation.
In 2023, civic groups proposed the Clean Air bill and the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) bill.
On 14 February 2024, environmental groups including the Environmental Law Foundation (EnLaw), Ecological Alert and Recovery (EARTH), and Greenpeace Thailand submitted a draft PRTR bill to parliament. Similar bills have been enacted in 30 countries, which allows access to data on pollution at the local level. The bill requires that polluting businesses list and identify the sources of their emissions.

### 2025 Bangkok smog

In January and February 2025, a period of hazardous air quality in Bangkok has forced the closure of over 350 schools and a voluntary work-from-home scheme, along with restrictions on six-wheel trucks from some parts of the city. Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt attributed the pollution to vehicle emissions, trash burning, and seasonal burning of crops. Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced public transport in Bangkok on the BTS SkyTrain, MRT, light rail, and bus system would be free for a week from 25 January 2025 to reduce pollution.
The smog was cited as underscoring the need for passage of the Clean Air Act.

## Legislative history

In November 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MNRE) proposed a draft Clean Air Act to prevent pollution and reduce government restrictions on pollution control. The bill was posted for public opinion on the MNRE website until 13 November. On 16 November, the bill was passed to the Cabinet Secretariat to gather opinions from state agencies and given to the cabinet on 21 November.
On 28 November 2023, the Srettha cabinet approved seven drafts of the Clean Air Act. One of the draft laws was proposed by the Thailand Clean Air Network, a citizen-led initiative that emphasizes the right to clean air as a human rights and environment issue.
On 17 January 2024, the House of Representatives approved the seven drafts 439 to 0, with one member of parliament not present. The House subsequently established a 39-member parliamentary committee chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to amend the bill before presentation to parliament for second and third readings.
The seven drafts under consideration are:
* Draft Clean Air Act (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.เพื่ออากาศสะอาด) proposed by the Cabinet of Thailand
* Draft Clean Air Act for the People (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.อากาศสะอาดเพื่อประชาชน), proposed by Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party
* Draft Clean Air Act for Fundamental Human Rights (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.อากาศสะอาดเพื่อสิทธิมนุษยชนขั้นพื้นฐาน), proposed by Julapun Amornvivat from the Pheu Thai Party
* Draft Act on Regulating and Managing Clean Air for Integrated Health (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.กำกับดูแลการจัดการอากาศสะอาดเพื่อสุขภาพแบบบูรณาการ), proposed by Kanongnij Sribuaiam, co-founder of the Thailand Clean Air Network, alongside 22,251 voters
* Draft Act on Management for Clean Air (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.บริหารจัดการเพื่ออากาศสะอาด), proposed by Trinuch Thienthong from the Palang Pracharath Party
* Draft Act on Promoting and Preserving Air for Health (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.ส่งเสริมและรักษาอากาศเพื่อสุขภาพ), proposed by Romtham Kamnurat from the Democrat Party
* Draft Act on Toxic Dust and Transboundary Pollution (Thai: ร่างพ.ร.บ.ฝุ่นพิษและการก่อมลพิษข้ามพรมแดน), proposed by Phattharapong Leelapat from the People’s Party
In January 2025, the Strategic Transformation Office's Clean Air Act working group chairman Buntoon Srethasirote expressed confidence the Clean Air Act would be passed by the House of Representatives in April 2025. The government's timeline expects the final draft of the act to be ready by mid-February, and will be forwarded to the House for second and third readings with an expected April passage. Pheu Thai MP Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham, Chair of the Special Commission for the Consideration of the Draft Clean Air Act, described the process as 85% finalized, with the government having consulted stakeholders in the past year.
Following passage in the house, the Senate will have 30 days to review the bill. It is expected to come into effect later in 2025.