Bangkok: The Senate President has expressed his approval of the Senators’ initiative to purchase their own meals, emphasizing the importance of budget conservation during Thailand’s current energy crisis. He has also shown readiness to collaborate by limiting overseas travel and other expenses.
According to Thai News Agency, Senate President Mongkol Surasatcha addressed several issues in an interview, including the preparations for a joint parliamentary session to discuss the government’s policy statement. He mentioned that the Senate is prepared to engage in discussions with the House of Representatives regarding the allocation of debate hours.
President Mongkol responded to the House of Representatives’ decision to have Members of Parliament pay for their own meals, suggesting that the Senate should follow suit. He confirmed that the Senate had already agreed to this measure and other cost-saving strategies, such as reducing unnecessary travel. A resolution has been passed to conserve energy and resources, and the Senate is committed to adhering to these measures.
When questioned about the potential cancellation of banquet catering for the Senate, President Mongkol noted that such decisions are managed by the Secretariat of the Senate. He assured that assessments would be made to determine necessity, with a focus on minimizing unnecessary expenditures.
Highlighting a shared national responsibility, President Mongkol stated, “One thing we all share is a sense of being Thai and an awareness of Thailand’s crisis. If Thailand remains in a crisis, we must all cooperate and conserve the budget as much as possible.” He stressed that the Senate would only engage in essential activities and encouraged everyone to make sacrifices where feasible.
Discussion points such as reducing welfare benefits, including fuel and travel allowances, and the possibility of decreasing the number of Senate assistants and experts, were addressed by President Mongkol. He indicated that these matters would be contingent on needs and would undergo further deliberation.
Regarding the participation of the Senate Affairs Committee in the study of these issues, President Mongkol confirmed their involvement. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that every baht of the budget is spent judiciously. The method of conducting these studies, whether jointly or separately, would depend on legal requirements.
Discussing the pension fund for former members of parliament, President Mongkol noted the necessity for further examination of this issue. He highlighted the plight of some former MPs who struggle to support themselves due to a lack of income or illness. He clarified that budget allocations include contributions from both members’ compensation and government funds, and any reductions would require careful discussion with the fund. All financial decisions, he asserted, must be grounded in reason and necessity, avoiding any excessive expenditure.