Parliamentary Budget Panel Questions 8 Million Baht Website Project
A parliamentary budget committee questioned the House Secretariat's 8 million baht website development project after receiving three bids ranging from 7.3 to 10.48 million baht for identical scope. Lawmakers also raised concerns about spend
On August 18, 2026, a special parliamentary budget committee met to review fiscal year 2570 spending proposals for parliamentary bodies, chaired by Bunyong Wongtrairat, deputy committee chairman. The committee examined budget allocations for the King Prajadhipok Institute, the Senate Secretariat Office, the House Secretariat Office, and the Former Parliamentarians' Fund.
Committee member Chalonath Koykul questioned the House Secretariat's 8 million baht parliamentary website development project, noting that three price quotes ranged from 7.3 million to 10.48 million baht despite identical project scope, a 3 million baht difference. The Secretariat described the work as upgrading existing systems and databases rather than building new ones, prompting questions about how the 8 million baht figure was calculated.
Koykul also queried a separate 8 million baht civic promotion fund, part of a 25 million baht democracy initiative, saying the per-person training cost of 25,000 baht exceeded the previous fiscal year's 6.5 million baht allocation without clear justification for the increase.
Parliamentarian Bunluepraserit Sopha raised security concerns, recounting an incident where he was filmed on his phone in the parliamentary meeting room and the clip was published online. He also criticized invitations to democracy promotion events held at hotels without clear speaking topics, suggesting such activities should be held at temples or schools instead.
Bunluepraserit, a lawmaker since 2001, stated he has never claimed parliamentary benefits or medical expenses, believing public funds should help those in greater need. He urged the fund committee to tighten eligibility criteria and screening standards.
House Secretary-General Sirot Phaetphan explained that the website project involves developing an integrated system with a central database and improvements to the legislative review process under Section 77, including identity verification and complaint handling features. He said three contractors were consulted on pricing and detailed specifications would be submitted in writing.
