Over 12,000 signatures urge PM Thavisin to make Thai PRTR Law a reality
Bangkok | 14 February 2024 - Thai civil society led by the Environmental Law Foundation, Ecological Alert and Recovery, and Greenpeach Thailand submitted 12,165 signatures to lobby for the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) law. Gathering in front of the Parliament House, representatives held a jigsaw banner with a message "A healthy environment requires PRTR" urging Prime Minister Srettha Thavisinto table the proposed PRTR law to the House of Representatives meeting.
Used as an environmental policy in other countries, the proposed Thai PRTR law can serve as a vital tool in disclosing public information and in seeking corporate accountability. The Pollutant Release and Transfer Register or PRTR law promotes the community’s Right- to- Know by requiring the reporting and disclosure of information on the types of pollutants being released in the environment. All relevant agencies must disclose to the public the type and quantity of chemicals or pollutants that are released from the source of pollution into the environment.
Implementation of PRTR law in Thailand will enable the public to not only access pollution data but also help them deal with pollution impacts. The government can also use the PRTR Law to monitor and to impose penalties on polluters. It alsoaids the private sector to develop better chemical management and reporting systems that meet international standards.
The group also wants government to promote and uphold Thai citizens’ right to a healthy environment by allocating budget for health care services.
Penchom Saetang, the director of Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand (EARTH Thailand), said:
“The PRTR law is not new, it has been used since 1992. In Thailand, there has been demand for the PRTR law for two decades now to be used as a specific law to address industrial pollution issues and reduce chemical accidents. Since 2013 Thailand implemented the PRTR pilot project to solve industrial pollution problems in the Map Ta Phut, Rayong, a period of ten years has passed. All parties involved agree that the PRTR system will help solve the pollution problem and will allow government agencies to regulate industries and various sources of pollution effectively. But why has it not been announced as a law to enforce throughout the country until now?”
Surachai Trong-ngam, the secretary-general of EnLaw, said:
“If Thailand has a PRTR law, it would enable us to effectively utilize legislation for regulating public health and the environment. Currently, we lack primary emissions inventory data. This makes law enforcement not as effective as it should be because there is no basic information available for enforcement propose.”
Alliya Moun-ob, Air Pollution Campaigner for Greenpeace Thailand, said:
“Access to the pollutant emissions inventory data requires a collaboration between the government, private sector, and the citizens. This stakeholders’ collaboration I will help citizens track the sources of pollution and pin down companies for their share of pollution. The PRTR law could be a useful tool for citizens to protect their health and reclaim their rights to live in a healthy environment.”
The civil society network is deeply hopeful that Prime Minister Settha Thavisin will consider passing the PRTR law to parliament without any constraints because living in a safe and healthy environment is a basic human right.
Notes:
[1] What is the PRTR Law? https://www.greenpeace.org/.../climate-airpollution.../
[2] Thai Court rules on PRTR implementation to be carried out by Industry Ministry
https://www.greenpeace.org/.../thai-court-rules-on-prtr.../
