Siroj defends House Speaker car rental budget request

Khaosod•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Siroj Phaetphan clarified the 2070 budget request for the House Speaker's official car rental following criticism from MP Phanthil Nuamchoem.

•Siroj Phaetphan clarified the necessity of requesting a budget for new official cars as current vehicles reach their 6-year usage limit in 2070.
•House Speaker Sophon Sarum has used a private car for official duties and has never used the official government vehicle.
•The budget request for the current House Speaker's car rental for the year 2070 is 5,421,600 Baht.

Overview

•On July 17, 2026, Siroj Phaetphan held a press conference at the Parliament to address budget concerns.
•Four official cars for the House Speaker, two Deputy Speakers, and the Opposition Leader were purchased between January 10, 2021, and April 16, 2021, during Chuan Leekpai's term.
•The official cars are scheduled to complete their 6-year service life on January 5, 2027, and April 16, 2027, during Sophon Sarum's term.
•Siroj Phaetphan stated that Sophon Sarum used a private car for official duties to save the government budget on fuel and maintenance.
•The Secretariat of the House of Representatives shifted from purchasing to renting new vehicles to reduce long-term maintenance and repair burdens.
•The 2070 budget request for the House Speaker's car rental is 5,421,600 Baht, which matches the budget for the Opposition Leader's car rental.
•The budget request follows the Prime Minister's Office Regulations on Government Vehicles 1980 and Ministry of Finance criteria.
•Pol. Maj. Gen. Wichai Sangprapai criticized those questioning the budget, stating Sophon Sarum never used a government car or claimed fuel expenses.

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Key Entities

Person

Siroj Phaetphan(ศิโรจน์ แพทย์พันธุ์)

Secretary-General of the House of Representatives.

Phanthil Nuamchoem(ภัณฑิล น่วมเจิม)

MP for Bangkok from the People's Party.

Sophon Sarum(โสภณ ซารัมย์)

House Speaker who used a private car for official duties.

Chuan Leekpai(ชวน หลีกภัย)ℹ️

Former House Speaker during whose term the four official cars were purchased.

Wichai Sangprapai(วิชัย สังข์ประไพ)ℹ️

Advisor to the House Speaker.

Organization

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party of MP Phanthil Nuamchoem.

Secretariat of the House of Representatives(สำนักงานเลขาธิการสภาผู้แทนราษฎร)

The agency responsible for preparing the budget request for official vehicles.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry whose criteria determine the budget for car rentals.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where Siroj Phaetphan gave the press statement.

Law

Prime Minister's Office Regulations on Government Vehicles 1980(ระเบียบสำนักนายกฯว่าด้วยรถราชการ พ.ศ. 2523)

The regulation governing the replacement of government vehicles based on their service life.