Controversial redesign stirs debate
Parliament Under Fire for Excessive Renovation Budget Request
Critics are firing back at the parliament's audacious demand for a billion baht to fund renovations, given the brand-new chambers were only unveiled last year.
This eye-popping sum has even stirred up opposition from some MPs within the People's Party before they embark on deliberating the whopping 3.78-trillion-baht 2026 budget.
Approved during the cabinet's mobile meeting in Nakhon Phanom on April 29, the bill features a palette of contentious proposals. Amongst them are the staggering requests for 113 million baht to revamp parliament's Sala Kaeo (Crystal Pavilion), and a hefty 180-million-baht chunk to install a 4D cinema.
However, parliament has defended the move, insisting that the "cinema" will, in reality, be a visitor information hub. The bill also calls for 118 million baht to upgrade the lighting in seminar rooms, 117 million baht to refurbish the parliamentary kitchen and transform part of it into a chill-out zone, and another 99-million-baht allocation to modernize the sound and visual systems in the 1,500-seat conference room.
The heated debates over the budget for the 2026 fiscal year are scheduled for May 28-30.
In a conference on Monday, government whip Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai Party list MP, claimed the government will cut frivolous budget allocations and ensure the benefits of the bill are geared towards the people.
When confronted about the parliament's request for significant renovation funds, he stressed the importance of stimulating the economy to ease the burden on citizens. Both government and opposition MPs must collaborate to scrutinize and reject any initiatives that fail to benefit the public and boost the economy, Chainarun stated.
On May 13, Pheu Thai MPs will gather to discuss preparations for the upcoming budget bill debate, setting up working panels to investigate various bill aspects such as the budget allocated for the economy, education, and public health.
Sirikanya Tansakun, an MP and deputy leader of the opposition People's Party (PP), blasted the government for displaying poor restraint in their spending plan. She demanded the bill be sent back for revisions before resubmission to parliament.
A House committee on political development, mass communications, and public participation, headed by PP MP Parit Wacharasindhu, has taken an interest in the rationale behind the parliament lobbying for such an enormous renovation budget despite the building being newly constructed and functional for only a year.
Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party, another coalition government member, backed the calls for more clarity and transparency in addressing the parliament's seemingly superfluous request for funding for renovation and construction.
The call for transparency is vital to maintain parliament's credibility, Wangboonkongchana stated.
Enrichment insights:- Questionable Spending Practices: Critics deem the proposed budget for renovations as excessive and poorly allocated, questioning if these funds would be better spent on critical public issues rather than enhancing the parliament complex, which has only been operational for around five years.- Structural Concerns: The building suffers from numerous structural issues such as leaking walls and faulty air-conditioning systems, even though it's under warranty. Critics point out that these defects should be addressed by the proposed budget.- Specific Controversial Proposals: The 180-million-baht proposal for a 4D cinema is seen as lavish and needless, with parliament attempting to justify it as an "information room" for visitors. Renovating the unused Parliamentary Museum is also questioned as unnecessary. The request of 113 million baht for Crystal Pavilion renovations, including air-conditioning units, is criticized for increasing electricity costs.- Public and Political Opposition: A faction of 30 senators opposes the renovation budget, reflecting widespread public discontent with the mishandling of public funds and the perceived lack of accountability from contractors involved in the original construction.
- The parliament's proposed billion baht budget for renovations has faced criticism, with dissenters questioning its allocation, particularly the extravagant 180-million-baht proposal for a 4D cinema.
- The opposition from some MPs within the People's Party extends to the 113 million baht request for refurbishing the Sala Kaeo, arguing that it would increase electricity costs unnecessarily.
- The heated debates over the 2026 budget, set to take place on May 28-30, will likely shed light on the parliament's request for significant renovation funds, with government and opposition MPs collectively striving for initiatives that benefit the public and boost the economy.
- The United Thai Nation Party, along with the People's Party, has urged the parliament for more clarity and transparency in addressing its seeming superfluous request for funding for renovation and construction, emphasizing the necessity to maintain parliament's credibility.
