Patthapong Leelaphat sharply criticized the "pollution government," saying not a single minister has stood up to address the PM 2.5 issue. He accused Anutin of outright lying and shamelessly overlooking the people's concerns.
On 11 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Patthapong Leelaphat, an MP from Chiang Mai representing the People’s Party (PCP), posted on Facebook that the term "pollution government" is no exaggeration. Not one minister has risen to respond to the management of toxic PM2.5 dust or the poisoning of rivers caused by mining in neighboring countries. Structural solutions are lacking and offer no answers. Allowing local forest communities to participate in forest care is merely lip service. The current importation system for animal feed corn, which is burned, lets importers self-certify under a scheme designed by vested interests, providing no real solution. Meanwhile, the Commerce Minister responded by saying that if the dust is heavy, people should just travel elsewhere.
The Clean Air Act has seen no one brave enough to confirm or respond. Worse, the Ministry of Interior issued letters urging local authorities to help spray water. Toxic water has been found in rivers including Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, and Salawin. Recent tests clearly show not only water pollution but also contamination with arsenic in rice; cadmium and lead in salad vegetables; and cadmium in pumpkins and Thai eggplants.
Patthapong said that addressing the root cause—negotiations among Thailand, China, Myanmar, and Laos—has seen no progress and the pollution government remains silent. This policy statement clearly shows this government does not prioritize pollution issues at all. It remains "ignorant," treating the problem merely as an environmental issue without considering public health and lives. Anutin said last night, "I am a good commander; everyone I order succeeds." This is a blatant lie that shamelessly ignores the people. I will fight this issue firmly.