Bangkok, 5 September 2025 – The Thai Parliament unanimously approved in principle the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) draft law during its first reading with 434 votes in favor, 4 abstentions, and 4 members not voting. This legislative development follows a public petition submitted on 14 February 2024 which was endorsed by over 12,000 citizens.

“This legislation represents a true win‑win scenario,” said Penchom Saetang, Executive Director of The Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH). “By empowering citizens with access to pollution data, it enhances environmental oversight and provides a strong foundation for industries and investors to make informed decisions.”

Thewarak Rungruengwirachkij, Digital Campaigner at Greenpeace Thailand added, “This milestone is not merely the result of environmental advocacy, but a manifestation of the collective voice of the people. It proves that pollution is no longer a side issue — it is a matter of public health, human rights, and democracy. We will continue to closely monitor the bill’s progress.”

Following the first reading, a 39-member special committee will be formed within the next 15 days to review and refine the legislation. Amarin Saichan, legal adviser from the Environmental Law Foundation (EnLaw), emphasized the importance of enhancing the draft to ensure the law firmly secures the public’s right to access environmental pollution data and promotes a healthy environment for all citizens.

At its core, the PRTR bill upholds the ‘Community Right-to-Know’ on pollution data, which will ensure that citizens can access critical information affecting their health and environment. Once enacted, the PRTR law will establish a national open-data platform documenting pollutant releases into air, water, and soil — covering emissions from factories, power plants, mining operations, vehicles, and chemical-intensive agriculture. The database will empower citizens, policymakers, and businesses to make informed decisions that support both health and sustainable development.

ENDs

For more information, please contact:

Somrudee Panasudtha, Senior Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Thailand

Tel. 081 929 5747 Email: [email protected]