Bangkok: Parit Wacharasindhu, spokesperson for the People's Party, took to the Ramintra Expressway Night Market to campaign for Mr. Phuriwat Jaisamran, the People's Party's candidate for Member of Parliament in Bangkok's Constituency 12. As he engaged with the crowd, Parit emphasized three key policies aimed at improving the lives of Bangkok residents: advocating for a clean air law, introducing a lottery receipt system, and enhancing the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
According to Thai News Agency, Parit underscored the significance of addressing the PM2.5 dust issue to reclaim the right to clean air for all Thai citizens. The People's Party plans to tackle the root causes, focusing on transportation by empowering local authorities to detect and penalize black smoke emissions. In the industrial sector, the party aims to push for the PRTR law, requiring factories to disclose information on toxic substances. For agriculture, there are plans to incentivize farmers to reduce waste burning and to increase funding for wildfire fighting teams. These measures are part of the proposed Clean Air Act, which the party intends to prioritize if they form the government.
Parit also discussed initiatives to reduce the cost of living, including a shared fare system for public transportation and a reduction in electricity prices through negotiations with private power plants. The party aims to increase competition in the electricity sector without burdening taxpayers.
Additionally, Parit proposed amendments to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act to enhance the power and budget of the elected Governor of Bangkok. This would enable more effective solutions to urban problems.
Addressing challenges faced by small businesses, Parit pointed out the competition from illegal goods. The People's Party plans to combat counterfeit products and improve data connectivity for better monitoring. E-commerce platforms will be held responsible for illegal sales, and citizens will be incentivized to report violations.
Economic stimulus policies were also highlighted, such as the "receipt lottery" scheme intended to give small businesses a competitive edge. Entrepreneurs would benefit from tax incentives and simplified VAT payments.
Mr. Phuriwat shared insights on the specific issues faced by Constituency 12, which includes Lat Phrao, Bang Khen, and Sai Mai. He mentioned the decline in sales at street markets along the expressway and outlined the party's strategies to support small business owners and reduce living costs, including a housing rent subsidy.