Senate Cafeteria Opens for Self-Service Food Purchase on First Day; Grienggai Confident Crisis Will Ease, Free Meals May Return
Thailand's Senate cafeteria switched to self-service dining on April 27, with vendors offering meals at reduced prices as part of budget conservation during an energy crisis. Officials say free meals may return once economic conditions impr
On April 27, 2569 at 11:30 AM, the Senate cafeteria on the second floor opened for self-service dining for the first time, featuring three food vendors offering noodle soup with pork and lime, red pork rice, desserts, and Muslim food (chicken rice box at 70 baht per box). Beverages remain complimentary, and payment is processed through digital scanning only.
Senate member Chaiyong Maneerungsukul reported adequate food variety with rice, noodles, and desserts available, though noted the lack of fresh fruit. First Senate Vice-President Grienggai Srirak also participated, purchasing red pork rice and crispy pork, buying five boxes for visiting guests.
Greienggai stated the atmosphere is lively and represents a shift amid the national crisis caused by Middle Eastern energy issues, with the Senate contributing to budget conservation. He explained this is the first day of trials with 3-4 vendors, with plans to survey members' preferences for menu adjustments in coming days. Regarding savings, he estimated costs dropping from 800 baht per person daily to approximately 200 baht or less, with his own meal costing 60 baht.
When asked about dissenting members, Grienggai noted that understanding must be developed through various committees, with most voting in favor of this measure as a temporary crisis response. He stated that if conditions normalize, free meals could return to their previous format. Some members expressed willingness to bring food from home if vendors aren't available. The rotating vendor system will continue until normal conditions resume, with potential expansion to include Parliament secretariat staff purchases if needed.
