Parliament Approves Immigration Law Amendments Despite Opposition Concerns
Parliament approved amendments to the Immigration Act and hotel legislation on July 8 despite opposition concerns that the reforms don't address systemic problems. The bills will now go to a special committee for detailed examination.
On July 8, 2025, Parliament voted to approve the principle of amendments to the Immigration Act and related hotel legislation, despite opposition from lawmakers who argued the government's draft fails to comprehensively solve underlying problems.
During debate, MPs from the People's Party supported the bills but raised concerns that the amendments address only minor issues without tackling systemic problems. MP Thao Piphop Limchitrakorn of Bangkok argued that larger legislative reforms are needed and proposed postponing the vote to allow consideration of an alternative People's Party draft classified as financial legislation, which requires the Prime Minister's signature. He requested waiting for that draft to be submitted to ensure comprehensive solutions could be examined simultaneously.
Following debate, opposition MP Pakorn Udompipatthansakul proposed referring the bills to a special committee before approving the principle, noting that while the current draft represents minor changes, a more substantial reform draft awaits the Prime Minister's signature. However, ruling coalition deputy whip Krawee Parisnanantakul of Ang Thong opposed the referral, arguing the bills could proceed to committee consideration after principle approval.
House Speaker Mallika then suspended the session for negotiations between government and opposition representatives. Upon reconvening, Parliament voted by majority to approve the principle of all four bills and establish a 25-member special committee to examine them, using the government's draft as the primary version for consideration.
