Sophon Sarum, Speaker of the House, has ordered a halt to the salary increase for assistants to MPs and Senators, while also establishing an independent committee to study reducing the number of parliamentary assistants and their benefits, with a framework to be completed within three months and explanations to be provided to the public.
At 10:30 a.m. on 19 May 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Sophon Sarum, Speaker of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Parliamentary Officials Committee (POC). He announced the results of the POC meeting as follows: The POC meeting resolved to repeal the parliamentary regulation regarding the appointment of personnel to assist the operations of the Parliament, House of Representatives (MPs), Senate, and parliamentary committees (4th edition) B.E. 2568 (2025 CE), which was signed by former parliamentary speaker Wan Muhamad Nor Matha approving the salary increases for experts, specialists, and assistants of MPs and Senators. It was understood that the approval at that time was before the economic crisis, but under the current parliamentary era, Mr. Sophon deemed the salary increase inappropriate and exercised his authority as Speaker to cancel it, reverting to the previous salary levels.
Mr. Sophon further stated that the POC also established an independent committee chaired by Pol. Gen. Prasit Thamdee, a POC expert, along with qualified members from MPs and Senators, as well as representatives from external agencies such as the Budget Bureau, the Civil Service Commission, the Council of State, and credible external individuals. This committee will review in detail whether to cancel or reduce the number of assistants to MPs and Senators, the number of personal aides per MP and Senator needed to effectively assist without creating burdens, and the appropriateness of assistants' benefits. The committee was instructed to consider standards from other democratic monarchies and complete the study within 90 days to meet the October deadline.
When asked whether the appointment of assistants for MPs or parliamentary committees should be postponed until the study is completed, Mr. Sophon said that work would continue, but he instructed the committee chair to follow the study's findings and ensure comprehensive data with references, including information from foreign countries, without requiring travel abroad.
When asked if the pension fund for former parliament members would also be reviewed to consider abolishing MPs' and Senators' pensions simultaneously, Mr. Sophon replied that a separate committee must be appointed to consider this matter as it involves different authority. He expected this to happen soon. Regarding whether the parliamentary committee on parliamentary affairs would study this as well, he said if their work is accepted, it could be done, but he would first evaluate which approach is faster and more responsive to public concerns and then proceed accordingly.