Details
The seminar, "Enhancing Understanding of the Draft Clean Air Act and Role of Citizens in Accessing Environmental Justice," is jointly organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Thailand Office and the Creative Urban Solutions Center (CUSC). The initiative aims to strengthen public understanding of the Draft Clean Air Act, its implications, and the environmental challenges. It also provides a platform for participants to reflect on environmental issues in their own areas, leading to the development of policy recommendations, practical approaches, and local action plans.
To align with the legislative process of the Draft Clean Air Act, the project will be implemented in two phases. Phase I will take place while the Bill is under consideration by the Senate, whereas Phase II will be organised after the Act has been officially enacted. Both phases will be held in Mae Hong Son Province, one of northern Thailand's provinces most severely affected by air pollution, where opportunities for participation in policy development, decision-making processes, and access to environmental justice remain limited.
The first phase aims to raise awareness and deepen participants' understanding of the Draft Clean Air Act, as well as the mechanisms available for exercising their rights and accessing legal protection. Participants will represent a broad range of stakeholders, including community leaders, representatives of ethnic communities and community networks, youth, and local government officials. Bringing together both rights holders and policy-makers will foster inclusive and comprehensive perspectives and contribute to advancing environmental justice at the local level.
Programm
08:30 Registration and Pre-test
09:00 Opening Ceremony
- Mr. Nitisak Toniti, Innovation Research Education Center/ Mae Hong Son Development Foundation
- Ms. Arunee Wiangsaeng, President of the Mae Hong Son Development Foundation
- Asst. Prof. Patawee Chotanan, President of the Creative Urban Solutions Center (CUSC)
- Ms. Napajaree Jivananthaprawat, Senior Project Manager, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Thailand Office
- Mr. Akradet Wanchaithanawong, President of the Mae Hong Son Provincial Administrative Organization
09:30 – 09:50 Keynote Address: The Clean Air Bill – Clean Air Begins with Understanding
- Prof. Dr. Tanet Charoenmuang, Expert in Decentralisation and Local Government
09:50 – 11:00 Panel Discussion: Fundamentals and Key Provisions of the Draft Clean Air Act
Topics include: Understanding the proposed legislation; Overview and guiding principles of the bill; Legislative background and rationale; Key environmental and public health challenges addressed; Legal framework and institutional structure; Major regulatory, monitoring, and enforcement measures; Expected impacts and outcomes of the legislation
- Mr. Paisit Panitchkul, Lecturer and Legal Expert, Faculty of Law, Chiang Mai University
- Mr. Pakorn Chinakham, Member of Parliament, Mae Hong Son Constituency 1
- Moderator: Asst. Prof. Patawee Chotanan, President of the Creative Urban Solutions Center (CUSC)
11:00 – 12:00 Panel Discussion: Citizens' Rights and Protection under the Draft Clean Air Act
Topics include: The relevance of the bill to citizens; Legal rights of the public under the proposed legislation; Rights to information, health, and environmental protection; Protection of vulnerable groups; Equitable access to information and public resources; Communication channels with government agencies; Reporting environmental issues and available grievance mechanisms; Principles of environmental justice
- Mr. Sombat Yasin, Member of Parliament, Mae Hong Son Constituency 2
- Mr. Jirasawat Suraritthamrong, Judge of the Chiang Mai Administrative Court
- Moderator: Mr. Nitisak Toniti, Innovation Research Education Center/ Mae Hong Son Development Foundation
12:00 – 12:30 Questions, Answers, and Recommendations
- Mr. Nitisak Toniti, Innovation Research Education Center/ Mae Hong Son Development Foundation
- Dr. Tippawan Phonpakdee
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30 Panel Discussion: The Role and Participation of Citizens under the Clean Air Act
Topics include: Understanding how to exercise rights under the law; Public support for effective implementation; Citizens' roles and responsibilities; Local, community, and household-level clean air management; Communication channels with government agencies; Access to information, resources, and legal protection; Promoting environmental justice through public participation
- Mr. Laofang Bundidterdsakul, Party-list Member of Parliament
- Mr. Bundhit Ninudomsak, Senior President of the Mae Hong Son Chamber of Commerce
- Acting Sub Lt. Charoen Sripotha, Community Representative
- Ethnic Community Representative
- Moderator: Mr. Nitisak Toniti, Innovation Research Education Center/ Mae Hong Son Development Foundation
15:30 – 16:00 Questions & Answers, Recommendations/ Post-test/ Review and Closing Summary
- Ms. Sutasinee Janpongsri, Project Manager, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Thailand Office
- Mae Hong Son Development Foundation
- Panyawithi Association
