The opposition People's Party (PP) announced plans to resubmit six bills to parliament after the cabinet declined to reaffirm them following the dissolution of the previous House.
The proposed legislation covers pollutant reporting, factory regulation, an amnesty for forest reclamation cases linked to the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order, labour protection, military court reform and amending the constitution.
PP list-MP and chief opposition whip Parit Wacharasindhu said on Wednesday that some bills would be resubmitted in their original form, while others would include minor revisions.
He said the party's constitutional amendment bill would adhere to three principles: ensuring public participation in drafting a new charter, preventing domination by any political group, and rejecting additional Senate powers over charter approval.
The party's proposal differs from that of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), particularly over Senate approval of the amendment bill and public participation mechanisms, he said.
Rayong MP Kamonthas Kittisunthornkul said the pollutant reporting bill seeks to establish a database on pollution and chemical releases to support environmental risk assessments and improve public access to information.
She said the bill is essential because the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommends member states adopt the Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) system to ensure transparent environmental management. Thailand has set a target of becoming a member by 2028.
List-MP Sia Jampathong said the party's labour protection bill, which previously passed its first reading, proposes shorter working hours, leave for caring for sick relatives and menstrual leave, among others.
He expressed disappointment that the cabinet had failed to resubmit the proposal and vowed to press ahead with efforts to improve people's quality of life.
Bangkok MP Ekarat Udomamnuay said the military court reform bill would allow affected people to file cases independently and transfer misconduct cases involving military personnel to the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.
List-MP Laofang Bundidterdsakul said the amnesty bill would restore justice to those who were unfairly prosecuted for encroachment while the NCPO was in power. He said people who would be eligible are those who were prosecuted between June 30, 1998 and Feb 20, 2023, specifically individuals who occupied land prior to the declaration of forest zones or those already protected under government policy.
