Stop the Empty Talk! Pheu Thai MP Challenges Dr. Vorasakdi to Publicly Declare Rejection of Parliamentary Pension
A Pheu Thai MP challenged Dr. Vorasakdi to publicly reject his parliamentary pension instead of merely proposing benefit cuts during a House session appointing fund committee members for former legislators' pensions.
Parliament appoints 8 fund committee members for former legislators' pensions. Dr. Vorasakdi proposes cutting pensions and education allowances for children studying abroad. Sanoeng challenges him to lead by example and become the first to publicly refuse a parliamentary pension.
On May 7, 2025, the House of Representatives held a session chaired by Deputy House Speaker Mallika Jirapanwanitch to consider appointing 8 committee members to the Former Parliamentary Members' Fund according to Section 8 of the Former Parliamentary Members' Fund Act, B.E. 2556.
The appointees include Sanoeng Thaepaksornarong (Buriram MP, Pheu Thai Party), Chuti Krairik (Phichit MP, Pheu Thai Party), Pakornwut Udomphipatsakul (Party-List MP, Pheu Thai Party), Prayuth Siripanichaya (Party-List MP, For Thailand Party), Bunyying Nitikaanchanaa (Ratchaburi MP, Kla Tham Party), Prasert Boonreung (former Kalasin MP, For Thailand Party), Suddawan Subunna Na Ayuthaya (former Nakhon Pathom MP, Move Forward Party), and Dr. Cherdchai Tantisirinthon (former Party-List MP, For Thailand Party).
During the appointment discussion, Dr. Vorasakdi Detkitvirogm, a party-list MP and Thai Loyalty Party leader, raised concerns about the appropriateness of the fund's generous benefits. He noted that 19 of the 21 fund committee members are current or former legislators, which creates potential conflicts of interest.
Dr. Vorasakdi highlighted that while MPs contribute only 3,500 baht monthly to the fund, they receive five significant benefits: monthly lifetime pensions, annual medical coverage up to 130,000 baht, education support for children including international schools, disability assistance of 15,000 baht, and death benefits of 200,000 baht for families.
He expressed particular concern about international school education benefits and lifetime pensions, arguing these are excessive. He noted that some former legislators become government ministers or Bangkok governor while continuing to receive parliamentary pensions—a situation he views as exploitative to taxpayers.
Dr. Vorasakdi called for committee members to eliminate unnecessary benefits, particularly international school allowances and parliamentary pensions, and urged current legislators to publicly demonstrate their commitment by refusing pensions as a starting point for parliamentary system reform.
Sanoeng Thaepaksornarong responded that as a fund committee member, he would consider Dr. Vorasakdi's proposals for future regulations.
