"Petchrat and Puthita" criticized the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament for cutting off MPs’ microphones during the debate on the Clean Air Bill, pointing out that it destroyed the opportunity to present the public’s hardships, who have long awaited this legislation.
On 3 September 2026, Ms. Petchrat Maichomphu and Ms. Puthita Chayanan, MPs from Chiang Mai representing the People’s Party, commented on the event during the afternoon session of the House of Representatives meeting. Ms. Mallika Jiraphanwanich, First Deputy Speaker of the House, cut off the microphones of several MPs while they were debating the draft Clean Air Management Act B.E. …
Ms. Petchrat said that as an MP from Chiang Mai, one of the areas severely affected by the PM2.5 crisis and air pollution, she fully understands how this problem causes suffering to people nationwide. Everyone has eagerly awaited this Clean Air Bill for a long time. The debate today was to raise objections to key points amended by the Senate, which seemed to benefit business groups, reduce penalties on industries, and limit public participation. However, many MPs had their speeches cut off before finishing when the Chair abruptly cut their microphones, despite their role as voices reflecting the public’s hardships.
“Air pollution is a crisis that has caused suffering for a long time, and society is eagerly awaiting this law. The House of Representatives should be an open forum where MPs can fully express the public’s grievances and protect their interests. It should not rush to cut off debate, causing the public’s voice to be overlooked,” Petchrat said.
Ms. Puthita added that debating a law as important to citizens’ lives and health as the Clean Air Bill allows each MP only a few minutes to summarize complex issues. Being cut off just seconds before their time ended greatly affected their ability to present key content.
“This kind of abrupt cutoff makes MPs waiting to speak worry about their time. Instead of focusing on presenting solutions to pollution problems for the people, they have to shorten their prepared points. I have faced this situation myself, even though every second in Parliament is an opportunity to speak for the people who are hoping for this law,” Ms. Puthita concluded.