Transport bill vetoed in House amid conflict of interest concerns

The House of Representatives vetoed a transport bill proposed by the People’s Party (PP), which aimed to grant local administrators the authority to operate transport services independently and approve other transport operations.

The bill, introduced by PP list-MP Surachet Pravinvongvuth, was up for consideration during a meeting chaired by Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangpan. Initially discussed on Monday, the vote was deferred to the next session.

Yesterday, August 29, the House voted 251 to 151 against the bill, with two members abstaining.

Anucha Burapachaisri, Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party list-MP, had previously voiced opposition to the bill during Monday’s meeting. Anucha argued that local administrative organisations already can operate transport services independently by obtaining the necessary licences.

“Local administrative organisations currently hold the status of operators of transport services as they can request a licence to operate transport services independently in their areas.”

He also noted that such licences allow private companies to step in as transport service operators in place of local administrative bodies. Anucha warned that the proposed bill would create a conflict of interest by giving provincial administration organisation (PAO) chief executives the dual role of operators and regulators.

“If the bill was approved, a conflict of interest would occur as it would grant chief executives of provincial administration organisations the status of ‘regulators’ with the authority to allow transport services to operate in the provinces.

“The bill would allow local administrators to act as operators and regulators at the same time, which is different from the norm.”

Following the vote, the People’s Party addressed the outcome on its Facebook page, expressing disappointment but reaffirming its commitment to public transport reforms, reported Bangkok Post.

“Today, millions of people’s dreams of using public transport that is ‘high-quality, affordable, and easily accessible’ haven’t yet reached the first step of becoming true. However, we’ll keep pushing for public transport for everyone until we succeed, the post read.”