UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-PX

               ANNUAL REPORT OF PROXY VOTING RECORD OF REGISTERED
                         MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number  811-6052
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                Morgan Stanley Municipal Opportunities Trust III
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

   1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York                  10020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip code)

                                Amy Doberman Esq

                                Managing Director

                     Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

                           1221 Avenue of the Americas

                            New York, New York 10020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 800-869-6397
                                                   -----------------------------

Date of fiscal year end: 3/31
                         --------------------

Date of reporting period: 7/1/04 - 6/30/05
                          -------------------


The registrant held no Securities during the period July 1, 2004 through
June 30, 2005 which required proxy votes and therefore there are no voting
records to report.



******************************* FORM N-Px REPORT *******************************

ICA File Number: 811-06052
Reporting Period: 07/01/2004 - 06/30/2005
Morgan Stanley Municipal Opportunities Trust III









======================= MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST III ========================

========== END NPX REPORT






                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): Morgan Stanley Municipal Opportunities Trust III
              ------------------------------------------------------------------

By  (Signature and Title):
                                              /s/ Ronald E. Robison

                             Principal Executive Officer - Office of the Funds
                           -----------------------------------------------------



Date  August 25, 2005
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                        2