Call to scrap MP/Senator pensions & privileges; accusations of evading cases

Matichon•Politics•8d ago

Reader Briefing

A civic group urged MPs and Senators to abolish their pensions and special privileges, citing concerns that these benefits are being exploited to evade legal charges, including lese-majeste and money laundering.

•The Center for the Protection of the Institution (RepSPA-PST) submitted a petition to MP Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom.
•The group demanded the abolition of pensions and special privileges for Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators.
•The petition cites the use of these privileges to evade charges such as lese-majeste and money laundering.
•The group also proposed reducing the number of assistants for MPs and Senators and reallocating funds to social welfare programs.

Overview

•On May 7, at 11:30 AM, the Center for the Protection of the Institution (RepSPA-PST) submitted a letter to Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom.
•The petition was submitted to request the push for the House of Representatives to consider the status, benefits, budget, and responsibilities of MPs and Senators, citing that some are using privileges to evade legal cases like M.112 and money laundering.
•The group requested the abolition of pensions for MPs and Senators.
•The group requested the abolition of the protective privileges of MPs and Senators.
•The group requested a reduction in the number of assistants for MPs and Senators from 8 people to 3 people.
•Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom stated that he would accept the matter and would discuss the abolition of pensions for MPs and Senators and the reduction of assistants with the new committee.
•Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom will act as a voice in the consideration of constitutional law amendments related to the abolition of privileges for MPs and Senators when the issue is on the agenda.
•The group suggested that saved budget could be used to increase elderly pensions and school children's lunch allowances, creating a new political standard.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Anon Klinkaew

"Privileges may be used as a channel to evade legal responsibility."

เอกสิทธิ์ อาจถูกใช้เป็นช่องทางหลีกเลี่ยงความรับผิดชอบทางกฎหมาย

Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom

"No Thai brothers and sisters agree that the public should have to support both MPs and Senators when they are not in office for life."

พี่น้องคนไทยก็ไม่มีใครเห็นด้วย ที่จะต้องให้ประชาชนมาเลี้ยงดู ทั้ง สส. และ สว. เมื่อตนเองไม่ได้ดำรงตำแหน่งตลอดชีวิต

Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom

"Do not want representatives of the people to take advantage of the people."

ไม่ต้องการให้ผู้แทนของประชาชน มาเอาเปรียบประชาชน

Key Entities

Organization

Center for the Protection of the Institution(ศปปส.)

A civic group that submitted a petition regarding MP and Senator benefits.

Thai Pakdee Party(พรรคไทยภักดี)

The political party led by Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom.

Person

Dr. Varong(หมอวรงค์)

Member of Parliament (List-Account) and leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, who received a petition from RepSPA-PST.

Dr. Varong Dejakitvijitrom(นพ.วรงค์ เดชกิจวิกรม)

Member of Parliament (List-Account) and leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, who received a petition from RepSPA-PST.

MP(สส.)

Member of Parliament, one of the groups whose pensions and privileges are subject to a petition.

Senator(สว.)

Senator, one of the groups whose pensions and privileges are subject to a petition.

Anon Klinkaew(นายอานนท์ กลิ่นแก้ว)

President of the Center for the Protection of the Institution (RepSPA-PST), who voiced concerns about MP and Senator benefits and privileges.

Law

M.112 case(คดี ม.112)ℹ️

Lese-majeste law, mentioned as a reason for some MPs and Senators potentially using privileges to evade legal responsibility.

money laundering case(คดีฟอกเงิน)

A type of legal case, mentioned as a reason for some MPs and Senators potentially using privileges to evade legal responsibility.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where the petition was submitted.