House passes final readings of MRTA bill

The House of Representatives yesterday voted 249:134 to pass the second and third readings of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand bill, one of three bills necessary for the implementation of the government’s flagship 20-baht flat fare policy for mass transit travel in greater Bangkok.

Before its final approval by the House, opposition and government MPs engaged in arguments over the quorum for the meeting, after several opposition MPs declined to declare their physical presence in the chamber.

People party MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn explained that opposition MPs refused to declare their presence because they wanted government MPs to show responsibility by presenting themselves in the chamber to form a quorum.

In the end, however, the vote took place and the bill passed.

This bill, along with the Joint Ticket Management bill, will now be forwarded to the Senate for deliberation. The third bill, the Rail Transport bill, is already with the Senate.

Earlier, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit had apologised to the public for the parliamentary delay, until November 15, in the implementation of the 20-baht fare system, which is only available to Thai citizens.