Bangkok: Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Thai Bhakdi Party, has raised concerns regarding the criteria for determining the duration of pension payments for former Members of Parliament and the retention of eight parliamentary assistants, arguing that it is unfair. He claims that powerful political families financially support MPs in parliament, and those who do not succeed in elections receive funds from the former MP pension fund. Furthermore, he alleges that the positions of parliamentary assistants within these networks are being allocated to others instead of direct payments.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Warong issued a statement addressing the House Affairs Committee’s resolution to review the lifetime pensions of former Members of Parliament. The resolution proposes a minimum service term of 48 months for eligibility and maintains the number of parliamentary assistants at eight. Dr. Warong expressed his disagreement with the resolution, asserting that many MPs a
nd Senators, who claim to represent and protect public interests, act primarily for personal gain. He believes the committee’s conclusion contradicts public sentiment.
Dr. Warong elaborated that these benefits originate from the “big house” system, where powerful families influence political dynamics to support their canvassers. MPs are financially supported by these families, with monthly payments being a norm. Consequently, when voting time arrives, MPs often adhere to orders rather than the public’s will.
“I challenge anyone to prove otherwise. There are wealthy financiers who still pay monthly salaries to MPs currently serving in parliament. But the day their term ends, if they fail to get re-elected, they’ll have to beg for money. They’ll have to use taxpayer money to support MPs who no longer have a role to play. This means the ‘big financier system’ is creating problems for politics by using their money to support MPs. And when those MPs are out of office, they’ll use taxpayer money in the form of a
fund for former members of parliament,” stated Dr. Warong.
He further argued that retaining eight parliamentary assistants results from the “big house” political faction. These positions are allocated to central authorities to support unsuccessful candidates, thus avoiding significant expenses from taxpayer money. Even Senators from various political parties have their assistants taken by the “big house” to save costs. Dr. Warong strongly opposes this practice, labeling it as a form of dictatorship that fails to address public needs.
Dr. Warong urged all MPs to prioritize selflessness and mindfulness, as MPs are representatives of the people but are failing to respond to them. He criticized the House Affairs Committee’s plan to establish a subcommittee to study this issue due to potential conflicts of interest. He advocated consulting the public for solutions and called on the Speaker of the House to seek public opinion on whether lifelong pensions and the requirement for eight parliamentary assistants shou
ld continue. He noted that many conscientious MPs, like himself, manage with no more than three assistants.
Regarding the House Affairs Committee’s recommendation to allocate a budget for civil servants’ meals, Dr. Warong agreed that it should not be mixed with MPs’ meals, especially the evening meals provided by the House for its staff.