B1bn sought for a ten-year-old legislature
PUBLISHED: 6 May 2025 at 05: 25
Despite the fact that the new chambers just opened last year, criticism is mounting against senate’s request for a billion ringgit in extra funding for repairs.
The decision was criticized before the 378-trillion-baht budget was deliberated, including many People’s Party MPs.
The cabinet’s cellular conference on April 29 in Nakhon Phanom approved the bill.
Requests for 113 million baht to pay for the renovation of the parliament’s Sala Kaeo ( Crystal Pavilion ) and a 180 million baht to install a 4D cinema inside the complex are just two examples of contentious proposals.
The” film” may actually serve as an information room for guests, according to Parliament’s defense of the initiative.
Additionally, the costs requests 118 million baht to improve the lighting in legislature’s 1, 500-seat meeting place in addition to 117 million ringgit to renovate the political kitchen area and repurpose part of it as a recreation room.
The 2026 fiscal year resources costs may be deliberated on May 28 through May 30.
The state will slash unwanted budget cuts, according to Visuth Chainaroon, the general government whip and a member of the Pheu Thai Party record, and Pheu Thai MPs will examine the costs to maintain it benefits the people.
When questioned about the request for renovations in the budget, he said that boosting the economy should be given more attention to reducing suffering.
He argued that MPs from the government and the opposition must collaborate to examine and reject any projects that don’t benefit the public or boost the economy.
Working panels will be set up to examine various aspects of the budget bill, including how much money will be allocated for the economy, education, and public health as they gather data to be used for the debate, at a meeting scheduled for May 13. Pheu Thai MPs will hold a meeting to discuss preparations for the debate.
The government has neglected to follow through on its spending plan, according to MP and PP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun, preferring to shift the burden of cutting unnecessary budget requests to other parties.
Before resubmitting the bill to parliament, she suggested the government should request that it be reviewed for further changes.
A House committee on political development, mass communication, and public participation led by PP MP Parit Wacharasindhu is also investigating the justification behind the government lobbying for such a large budget for renovations despite the fact that the new building was only recently finished and open for official use.
As a coalition government member and deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a member of the government, joined calls for more clarity and transparency regarding the seemingly pointless request for funding for renovation and construction. A lack of accurate information and transparency will undermine parliament’s credibility, he claimed.