Bangkok: The House of Representatives is facing scrutiny over its budget allocation, with a report revealing that 99 million baht has been spent on a 1,500-seat conference room.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phanthil Nuamchim, an MP for Bangkok from the Prachachon Party, expressed concerns during a meeting of the Committee on Political Development and Mass Communications. He emphasized the importance of accountability in the use of taxpayer money, highlighting the need for transparency within the government.
The report disclosed that the House of Representatives proposed a significant budget of 180 million baht for the construction of a 4D movie theater, raising questions about its necessity and alignment with democratic values. The Senate also came under scrutiny for allocating 2.3 million baht for a Chinese language course for 15 people, citing the requirement to visit a camp in China.
Mr. Phanthil questioned the large-scale projects and their benefits to the public, such as the 42 million baht budget requested for the renovation around the Parliament Museum. He also expressed skepticism about the need for a 4D cinema system and improvements in seminar room lighting, questioning the utility and necessity of these projects.
Further concerns were raised regarding the renovation of various areas within the Parliament building, including a 118 million baht renovation for a meeting room, a 117 million baht kitchen renovation, and a 123 million baht project for the glass pavilions. Mr. Phanthil emphasized the need for transparency and questioned the legitimacy of these budget requests.
Highlighting the Senate's budget allocation, Mr. Phanthil pointed out the plans for weekly meetings of a 30-person special committee, with a budget of 2.34 million baht per year, as well as the questionable necessity of using government money for senators to learn Chinese. He called for public disclosure and transparency, emphasizing the need for fair and justifiable use of public funds.
In response to these concerns, Mr. Phanthil stated that he would seek further clarification on the original intentions behind the Parliament's design and its benefits to the public, underscoring the importance of accountability and transparency in government spending.