Thai Pakdee Party leader and party-list MP Warong Dechgitvigrom on Wednesday criticised a parliamentary committee's proposal to retain lifetime pension benefits for former lawmakers and maintain the number of MP assistants at eight.
The panel recently agreed to retain lifetime pensions for former MPs and senators who served at least four years combined, while also maintaining the current quota of eight assistants per MP.
Dr Warong said he opposed the proposal because it served the interests of politicians rather than the public and ran contrary to public sentiment.
He called on the House Speaker to directly ask the public whether lifetime pensions for former lawmakers and the retention of eight MP assistants were justified. The committee appeared to have a conflict of interest because MPs were part of it, he said.
The panel was appointed to review the welfare fund for former MPs and senators amid criticism that the benefits they received were excessive.
The fund, established under a 2013 law, provides lifetime stipends and welfare benefits, including medical care, education support for children, disability assistance, death benefits and monthly living allowances for former MPs.
Critics said that contributions, set at 3,500 baht per month, are disproportionately low compared with payouts.
Former lawmakers serving one to four years are eligible to receive 21,000 baht per month. The allowances can reach 42,700 baht per month for former lawmakers who served 20-24 years.
Dr Warong said the system shows the influence of political patronage networks, saying many MPs received financial support from political financiers while in office and relied on taxpayer-funded benefits after leaving parliament.
"This system is creating problems. Wealthy political backers support MPs while they are in office, and when they leave politics, taxpayers are left to support them through the parliamentary welfare fund," he said.
He also criticised the decision to retain eight MP assistants, saying the positions were exploited and awarded to unsuccessful election candidates at taxpayers' expense.
At present, MPs can each appoint up to eight assistants, most earning 15,000 baht per month, with one receiving 24,000 baht. However, Dr Warong expressed support for a proposal to allocate funding for meals for parliamentary officials.
