Unanimous resolution: MPs agree to buy their own meals after Songkran, hoping Senators will do the same, while some parties disagree on reducing MPs' aides to three. Sopon reveals the Prime Minister has not yet coordinated the policy address to Parliament.
On 30 Mar 2026 at 13:30 GMT+7, a meeting was held at Parliament to discuss MPs' lunch welfare and scheduling parliamentary sessions on 1-2 Apr. Sopon Sarum, the Speaker, chaired the meeting, attended by representatives from all parties, including Kravee Prisnanantakul, MP from Ang Thong for Bhumjaithai Party; Wisut Chaiyanarun, party-list MP for Pheu Thai; Parit Watcharasinsin, party-list MP for the People's Party; Satit Wongnongtoey, party-list MP for Democrat Party; and Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, party-list MP for Thai Pakdee Party.
Later at 15:30 GMT+7, Dr. Warong said that from discussions about the MPs' lunch budget, all parties agreed MPs will buy their own meals starting after Songkran. Regarding concerns about previously signed food procurement contracts, the parliamentary secretary-general confirmed those contracts have been canceled with no loss to the state, and the budget will be returned to the treasury to support other public assistance. The Speaker stated that changes will be discussed with the Senate President to implement the same approach, hoping Senators will also purchase their own meals.
Dr. Warong added that discussions on reducing MPs' aides from eight to three saw differing opinions. He personally proposed the reduction, but some party representatives felt eight aides remain necessary. If consensus is not reached, he will pilot having three assistants to observe the outcome and refer the matter to the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, which will appoint external experts to study it. This aims to find a fair solution for all. Regarding concerns about MPs’ and Senators’ pensions paid from taxpayers’ money for just one year of service but lasting a lifetime, the same approach with external experts studying will be used. He noted the issue is serious: calculations show that annually, collecting 3,500 baht from each of 700 MPs and Senators yields 30 million baht, but pension payments for 1,192 MPs and Senators cost over 200 million baht annually. If more MPs and Senators apply for this, public tax burdens will increase significantly.
At 15:05 GMT+7, Sopon Sarum, the Speaker, stated that today's main discussion points included: first, MPs' meal arrangements during parliamentary sessions. The meeting agreed members will pay for their own meals. The parliamentary secretary will provide food services for convenience in the usual dining room, starting after the Songkran festival. Second, regarding the appointment of MPs' assistants and experts, the meeting sought ways to save budget amid global oil crises. This issue arises from parliamentary regulations issued by the Parliamentary Committee. The meeting resolved to submit this for the Committee’s consideration on 28 Apr, when Sopon will convene the committee to finalize the matter. Third, regarding the fund for former parliament members’ pensions, as this involves laws and regulations from past parliamentary committees, the current Parliamentary Affairs Committee will review the pension amounts.
When asked about criticisms that MPs buying food at the Parliament's B2 food court wastes budget already spent on prepared meals, Sopon said this misunderstanding stems from lack of information. Since the current Parliament, meals are prepared realistically for about 200-300 people—not the 500 members multiplied by budget figures. Sometimes good measures are misunderstood by the public due to poor communication. Therefore, the parliamentary public relations must clarify the facts to the public. This approach reduces the budget by about 200,000 baht daily. Meanwhile, fund money is partly deducted from members and partly supplemented by the government.
Sopon added that discussions also covered the Parliament's dignity and outdated regulations that are impractical. Each party was tasked with implementing energy-saving dress codes. As Speaker, he used his authority to waive the requirement for suit and tie, allowing members to wear collared shirts made of Thai fabric without needing the royal collar. Also, to benefit the public, members will be encouraged to hold written discussions before agenda sessions, which the Speaker will then report to the assembly.
Sopon also spoke about the government's policy address to Parliament, saying that after the royal appointment and oath-taking, and once the schedule for the policy address is notified to Parliament, members will be informed within three days. However, the Prime Minister has not yet coordinated because the timing of the royal appointment of the Cabinet is still unknown. He admitted that they hope to see the policy address before Songkran, given the country's crises. Before Songkran, a fully empowered government should be in place to manage both economic and war-related crises.
The reporter noted that currently, no new contracts have been made for MPs' meal services after the previous vendor's contract ended due to Parliament's dissolution on 12 Dec 2025. Therefore, the meeting with party representatives aimed to seek opinions on how to proceed. The budget for MPs' lunch during sessions remains available under the 2026 fiscal law. However, there was a query whether unused budget could be redirected to other parliamentary activities related to its duties.