Activists in Thailand are campaigning for a landmark Clean Air bill that would enshrine the right to breathable air, require public pollution data and tax major emitters. The public-initiated draft won more than 20,000 signatures and passed the lower house in October, but progress is paused after parliament was dissolved. Supporters — including physician-anthropologist Wirun Limsawart and finance specialist Weenarin Lulitanonda — hope the bill can be revived after forthcoming general elections. The health ministry reports over 10 million pollution-related treatments in 2023, underscoring the public-health stakes.
Thailand's Clean-Air Fight: Activists Push Landmark Bill to Hold Polluters Accountable
Each winter, large parts of Thailand are plagued by haze caused by weather patterns, seasonal burning, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)(Lillian SUWANRUMPHA/None/AFP)
Thailand is witnessing a renewed push for ambitious air-quality legislation as activists, motivated by personal health concerns and long-standing public-health data, press policymakers to act. Each winter, large swathes of the country suffer haze from seasonal weather patterns, agricultural burning, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. Past measures — from work-from-home advisories to restrictions on crop burning — have had limited, short-term impact.
What the Clean Air Bill Would Do
The proposed Clean Air bill aims to enshrine the right to breathable air, require public disclosure of pollution sources, and impose taxes or fees on major emitters to deter pollution and fund mitigation. Supporters say the bill would increase transparency, hold polluters financially accountable, and provide better data for public health responses.
Grassroots Momentum and Political Setbacks
The campaign was spearheaded by the Thailand Clean Air Network (CAN), which grew out of public conversations following a 2019 panel discussion in Bangkok. More than 20,000 citizens backed a public-initiated petition — surpassing the legal threshold to propose legislation — and a draft bill passed the lower house of parliament in October. However, the recent dissolution of parliament by the prime minister has paused progress; supporters hope the bill can be reintroduced after general elections early next year if lawmakers prioritise it.
Profiles: Why Activists Are Fighting
Wirun Limsawart, a physician and anthropologist who now works at the Ministry of Public Health, returned to Thailand in 2018 after a decade abroad and became alarmed at the severity of air pollution. A former general practitioner in remote regions and a Harvard-trained anthropologist, Wirun says his concerns for his three children and his medical experience drove him into advocacy. He survived a brain tumour in his twenties, an experience he says deepened his empathy for patients and commitment to public health.
Weenarin Lulitanonda — a former finance specialist who worked at the World Bank — was prompted into activism after an outdoor run in 2018 left her with a severe headache she later linked to Bangkok's seasonal smog. Frustrated by a lack of accessible information about air quality, she co-founded CAN and helped build the evidence and public support for the bill.
"We need to make emitters responsible," Wirun said. "If there were an alternative to breathing, I wouldn't care," Weenarin added, underscoring the urgency behind the campaign.
Health Impact
According to Thailand's Ministry of Public Health, more than 10 million people sought treatment for pollution-related health problems in 2023. Advocates argue the bill would help prevent illness, save public-health costs and provide clearer accountability for emissions sources.
Looking Ahead
Campaigners say clean-air reforms often begin with civil society rather than government or industry, and they urge voters to demand concrete clean-air commitments from political candidates. With the political timetable uncertain, CAN plans to continue advocacy and public education so the issue remains a priority regardless of parliamentary shifts.
