The Democrat Party's deputy spokesperson urged the government to take serious action enforcing PM2.5 pollution laws, pointing out that roads full of black smoke vehicles are the source of the capital's dust problem, and called on four state agencies to expedite solutions under the national agenda on pollution control.
On 7 November 2026 at the Democrat Party headquarters, Apimuk Chantaravanich, the party's deputy spokesperson, held a press conference on the recurring environmental crisis. He said that as November arrives, following the easing of flooding and the rainy season, the PM2.5 dust problem is once again threatening the health of Thai people and Bangkok residents. Previously, the government has mostly issued warnings urging the public to protect themselves. The party questions how seriously the government has enforced laws to control polluters. According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration data, from October 2025 to September 2026, over 140,000 vehicles were tested for black smoke in Bangkok, with more than 70,000, or 50%, exceeding the legal limits. This reflects a critical source of dust pollution in the capital. After detecting these black smoke vehicles, has the government followed up with re-inspections and concrete legal actions? This does not even include dust issues caused by construction sites where operators lack responsibility.
Apimuk stated that to effectively resolve the PM2.5 dust problem, the party has three demands for relevant government agencies: 1. Strict enforcement of black smoke control measures, especially targeting public buses, trucks, and pickups, presenting video evidence of black smoke emissions from vehicles under the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). 2. Proactive inspections of construction sites and businesses, coupled with immediate legal penalties following due process. 3. Enhanced public participation by enabling citizens to report polluters, urging the Pollution Control Department and related agencies to actively publicize reporting channels and pollution hotlines. The four main agencies—Department of Land Transport, Traffic Police, Pollution Control Department, and BMTA—must expand their coverage. The PM2.5 dust issue has been a national agenda for over seven years, yet citizens continue to suffer. While awaiting the passage of the Clean Air Act, the government must strictly and seriously enforce existing laws.