Corporate interests vs public good: Critics sound alarm over new govt’s policy roadmap

The public is watching closely to see how the new Bhumjaithai-led government of Anutin Charnvirakul will tackle the country’s multiple crises – from skyrocketing fuel and food prices to worsening pollution, disaster management, and healthcare issues, including the impacts of marijuana legalization.

The government’s policy statement, to be announced on April 9-10, will cover five areas – inclusive growth, enhancing competitiveness, economic stimulus, industrial development for income generation, and emergency response plans.

However, concern is growing among critics that Anutin’s coalition may lack the political will to challenge corporate interests and forge positive benefits for all Thais.

Green test

Assoc Prof Kanongnij Sribuaiam, co-founder of the Thailand Clean Air Network, said rumours within state agencies suggest the new government may block the passage of the Clean Air Bill – legislation seen as critical for tackling Thailand’s deepening smog crisis.

Chiang Mai regularly ranks as the world’s most polluted city on the IQAir website, which monitors global air quality. Levels of PM2.5 – the most dangerous pollutant – are also chronically high in Thailand’s other major cities.

The Clean Air Bill had passed through the Lower House and was awaiting Senate approval when Anutin dissolved the House late last year.

“If the new government ignores the bill, we will petition the Parliament President for its resubmission, even if that means starting again with a first reading in the Lower House,” Kanongnij said.

Fears for the bill grew earlier this week after Bhumjaithai MP Supachai Jaisamut dismissed it as redundant. He argued that existing environmental, town planning and traffic laws were sufficient to handle the smog crisis.

The Clean Air Bill would merely set up a series of committees and a Clean Air Office, which would overlap with the Pollution Control Department, he said.

“This bill would also grant officials excessive power, allowing them to seize assets and suspend business operations without a court order.”

He added that enforcement would drive up costs for Thai industry, undermining its competitiveness on the global stage.

The criminal penalties it prescribes are also too harsh, he said.

While the MP insisted he supports clean air for all Thais, he cautioned, “We must ensure that any new law does not harm the country’s economic potential.”

Kanongnij warned that stripping the Clean Air Bill of its economic measures and structure would render it a toothless tiger, incapable of tackling the root causes of the smog.

Assoc Prof Witsanu Attavanich, spokesman for the House Clean Air Bill committee and a lecturer at Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Economics, said the bill would create a much-needed transparent and flexible framework that would offer incentives for all stakeholders.

“The traceability created by the framework will also help address cross-border pollution,” he said, calling for the bill to be introduced as soon as possible.

Kanongnij observed that not just Thais, but the entire world will be watching to see if the new government had the political will to honour Thailand’s global environmental pledges.

The Bhumjaithai Party has dubbed its environmental platform “green populism”, pledging policies to ease environmental problems while reducing the cost of living. Key promises include free solar installations, carbon credits to generate income for villagers, and a ban on crops from farms that burn the land.

Recreational marijuana

Several health networks have urged the government to review the legalization of cannabis, warning of the toll on public health as weed shops mushroom across the country.

The number of people seeking treatment for cannabis-related mental and physical ailments has soared since the drug was legalized under Bhumjaithai’s flagship policy in 2022.

Despite efforts to control distribution through a licence and prescription-only system, loopholes, lax enforcement and grey markets ensure marijuana remains easily accessible.

Dr Smith Srisont, president of the Forensic Physician Association, said that while authorities claim marijuana has now been limited to medical purposes, recreational use is still rampant.

“Walk into any cannabis outlet and you will understand what I mean,” he said.

Energy crisis

Nitirat Sapsomboon, founder of welfare-advocacy group WeFair, expressed doubts over the government’s ability to help people during the ongoing energy crisis. Oil prices have jumped since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran last month.

“The global energy crisis has created a cost-of-living crisis in Thailand, where inequality is deeply entrenched,” he said.

While the daily minimum wage remains frozen, the price of food, transport, cooking gas, and petrol is rising and looks set to soar, he added.

“If this trend continues, low-income families may be pushed into full-blown poverty,” he said.

The number of people living below the poverty line in Thailand rose to 3.43 million last year, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council. The poverty line is defined as a monthly income of 3,078 baht or less.

“About 900,000 are living just above the poverty line. And these people are also struggling in the face of the rising cost of living,” Nitirat said.

He argued that the seven urgent measures the government has implemented to tackle the energy crunch are merely short-term moves that fail to address structural problems that have aggravated the crisis.

“The energy price structure is unfair as it permits profit margins that are too high. Management of the energy sector favours business at the expense of households,” Nitirat said.

Large investors were profiting from the surging energy price, leaving ordinary people to shoulder the rising cost of living, he added.

“The public is being told to cut back while energy companies enjoy huge profits.”

Migrant workers

Adisorn Kerdmongkol of Migrant Working Group, a network promoting protection for migrant workers, said Cambodian workers in Thailand are under threat from rising nationalist sentiment following last year’s border conflict.

However, he doubts the new government will do much to relieve the pressure.

“These workers are at the risk of becoming illegal or being arrested/extorted just because they cannot renew their visas in time,” he said.

Adisorn called on the government to grant a six-month grace period for the 100,000-plus Cambodian workers in Thailand so they could remain registered in the system.

“Without effective solutions, bigger problems will follow,” he warned.