“Three Opposition Parties” urge Govt to act on PM2.5 Crisis, Protect vulnerable groups

Today (April 8, 2026) at 11:00 AM, at the Parliament Building, Mr. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the People's Party, Dr. Karndee Leopairote, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, and Mr. Pakorn Chinakham, MP for the Kla Tham Party, led the news conference. A special committee is to be established in order to address the dust issue, PM2.5, particularly in the northern part of Thailand.

Natthaphong expressed his profound sadness at the death of a volunteer firefighter in Phrae Province during a mission, which was earlier discovered to have also happened in Chiang Mai Province. We might be able to stop losses like this from occurring in the future if a government organization plans to put together a budget or provide personnel with protective gear and adequate welfare. Vulnerable groups and members of the community in Chiang Mai Province were still impacted by PM 2.5 dust, particularly bedridden patients who were unable to upgrade their living conditions by moving into enclosed rooms with air conditioners. Knowledge that is straightforward to implement, such as dust-free rooms and dust-fighting nets, can be endorsed by the government. It was discovered that the dust levels could be lowered from 200 micrograms per cubic meter to just 30 micrograms per cubic meter, even without having an air conditioner, and that the installation cost was not too high.

Additionally, Natthaphong stated that local organizations and members of the House of Representatives are prepared to use a variety of knowledge to assist the community if the government supports it. As the opposition and opposition parties, they will present these proposals to the extraordinary committee in order to close the gaps and advance the Clean Air Act.

People's Party has been pushing for clean air laws since the previous House of Representatives session, Mr. Natthaphong said. Nevertheless, the People's Party cannot succeed by pushing it on its own. We are grateful to members of the House of Representatives from various political parties who have recognized the importance of the legislation. The Clean Air Act is a significant law.

Dr. Karndee stated that, as an opposition party and a member of the first term of the House of Representatives, we agree that every Thai citizen has a basic right to clean air. In order to avoid the PM 2.5 dust issue from becoming a seasonal issue that is brought up and discussed over time before going away and reappearing every year, it was decided to approve the committee to follow up on solving the issue not only in the upper northern region but also nationwide. Dr. Karndee further says that she agrees with the opposition parties, the People's Party and the Kla Tham Party, that the Clean Air Act is a significant issue. Although the viability and appropriateness of the draft's details are still under dispute, it should not be disregarded.

According to Dr. Karndee, the administration ought to forward this legislation through the legislative process and be receptive to viewpoints from all parties. Examining this issue reveals that it is more than just a pollution issue; we are also discussing human security, health, and resource management that will be suitable for Thailand in the future.

Lastly, the government should see the importance of health as the centerpiece, not just a short-term economic matter. Pollution is more than just smoke and dust when it comes to the climate disaster. The administration needs to have clear indicators for its performance; it cannot be predicated only on sessions or emergencies. It should be a commitment that Thai people will be able to breathe clean air within a set timeframe. Furthermore, rather than focusing only on immediate help, the government must provide suitable budgets. However, in order to address the dust issue and prevent such crises in the future, there must be a methodical solution that includes the transformation of the agricultural sector and the transformation of energy consumption.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong