Dr. Varong Seeks to Cut Assistant MPs to 3, Speaker to Discuss Cancelling Lunch

Khaosod•Politics•7h ago

Reader Briefing

MP Varong Dechgitvikrom advocates for reducing the number of assistant MPs and cancelling parliamentary lunch benefits to save public funds.

•Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom, an MP for the Thai Pakdee Party, is pushing to cut the number of assistant MPs from 8 to 3.
•He also proposes cancelling the lunch subsidy and other benefits for MPs and Senators to save an estimated 300 million baht per parliamentary session.
•The Speaker of the House of Representatives has scheduled a discussion for March 30 to address these proposals, with Dr. Varong having publicly demonstrated his commitment by tearing up excess application forms.

•On March 25, 2026, at the Parliament, Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom spoke about parliamentary benefits.
•Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom stated that the privilege of 8 assistant MPs is excessive, necessitating a reduction to 3.
•Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom urged Senators to cooperate in building public trust by adhering to austerity measures.
•Cancelling MP and Senator lunch benefits could save approximately 300 million baht per parliamentary session.
•Reducing the number of assistant MPs from 8 to 3 for both MPs and Senators could save over 3 billion baht annually.
•Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom cited the economic hardship of high food and oil prices as the reason for the need for public frugality.
•Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom tore up 5 assistant MP application forms to symbolically demonstrate his commitment to appointing only 3.
•The Speaker of the House of Representatives has scheduled a discussion for March 30, 2026, to address the proposed cancellations of lunch and other benefits.

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Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom

"Personally, I see it as excessive privilege beyond necessity. We insist on demanding only 3 assistants."

ส่วนตัวมองว่าเป็นอภิสิทธิ์ที่มากเกินกว่าความจำเป็น เรายืนยันที่เรียกร้องให้มีผู้ช่วยเหลือแค่ 3 คน

Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom

"With high food and oil prices, the nation must be frugal. We must cooperate."

ภาวะข้าวยากหมากแพง น้ำมันแพง ประชาเทศชาติต้องประหยัด เราต้องร่วมมือกัน

Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom

"All of this is taxpayer money. We should not burden the people."

ทั้งหมดเป็นภาษีของประชาชน เราไม่ควรเบียดเบียนประชาชน

Dr. Varong(หมอวรงค์)

Member of Parliament for the Thai Pakdee Party advocating for the reduction of parliamentary benefits.

Dr. Varong Dechgitvikrom(นพ.วรงค์ เดชกิจวิกรม)ℹ️

Member of Parliament for the Thai Pakdee Party advocating for the reduction of parliamentary benefits.

Speaker of the House of Representatives(ปธ.สภาฯ)

Presiding officer of the Thai House of Representatives who has scheduled discussions on proposed benefit cancellations.

Member of Parliament(สส.)

Elected representative in the Thai House of Representatives whose benefits are under review.

Senator(สว.)

Member of the Senate in Thailand whose benefits are also being reviewed for potential cancellation.

Thai Pakdee Party(พรรคไทยภักดี)

Political party represented by MP Varong Dechgitvikrom, who is proposing parliamentary reforms.