Bangkok: The Secretary of the House has clarified the budget allocation for the construction and renovation of the Parliament building, emphasizing the necessity for improvements to ensure the facility's suitability. Approval for this budget was granted during a joint meeting involving the President and Vice President of the House.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Aphat Sukhanan, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, addressed concerns raised by a member of the Prachachon Party. The member highlighted that the House had allocated budgets for several construction and renovation projects deemed unnecessary, each costing no less than 100 million baht. Pol. Lt. Col. Aphat explained that these budget proposals originated from discussions among the House Speaker, Vice Speaker, and the executive committee, including the House Affairs Chairman, after inspecting the building and identifying areas needing improvement.
In response to criticisms regarding projects like Sala Kaew, which remains unused, Pol. Lt. Col. Aphat stated that the issue was debated in meetings, and a preliminary study was conducted before requesting the budget.
The Secretary-General also addressed the construction of a 4D cinema, which has been a point of contention. He clarified that this room is intended as an information room, akin to the one in the old U Thong parliament building. It will serve as an interactive space for visitors to learn about the Parliament's functions.
The Secretary-General further noted that while some MPs are contemplating budget cuts, the proposals are part of a standard process reflecting the rights of each member. The office has put forward these projects with the belief that they are necessary for the Parliament's functionality and visitor engagement.