Costly parliament initiatives face criticism
In the heat of debates surrounding public spending and transparency, five extravagant projects under construction within the parliament complex have come under fire during a recent House committee meeting.
"Is the [B22m renovation of Sala Kaeo] going to boost our public administration?" challenged Parit Wacharasindhu, MP from the People's Party and chair of the House Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications, and Public Participation.
This heated discussion revolved around the justification, legality, and practical benefits of these costly proposals, nail-biting topics that Parit keenly explored. Let's dive into the highlight projects and the controversies stirred by each.
1. Controversial Car Park Worth B4.6bn
The most eye-raising project is a proposed luxurious new car park building, estimated to cost a whopping 4.6 billion baht. Initial budget allocations include a hefty 1.5 billion baht for the upcoming fiscal year 2026, to be debated in parliament from May 28-30.
Parit questioned whether our existing car park's 1,935 spaces were genuinely insufficient, and voiced concerns about holding those responsible accountable for this project.
Arun Laiphongphaew, Director of the Parliament Security Office, explained that the original project was initiated under the Security Office, but later passed onto a separate building management unit. A subcommittee was subsequently appointed to tackle the parking shortage. The car park is in dire need of expansion because current regulations from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) mandate one parking space per 120 square meters (m2). With 420,000m2 of usable space, Parliament should theoretically have at least 3,500 car park spaces, but falls short by 1,500 spaces.
To cure this parking woe, a study suggested building underground parking on the 21-rai plot in front of the parliament complex. A 33-feet deep structure ups the capacity by an impressive 4,600 spaces. Parit further probed the approval process, expressing concern that the original plan was approved under the 2001 BMA regulation, despite not complying with the law.
2. The questionable 4D cinema worth B180m
Another eyebrow-raising project burrowed its way into the draft fiscal 2026 budget: a high-tech 4D cinematic system. The goal is to improve parliament's public engagement and educational services. Yet, the necessity of this 180-million-baht investment has been questioned.
House of Representatives Secretary-General, Acting Pol Sub Lt Arphat Sukanan, shared that the original idea stemmed from the House Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, who were fascinated by a 4D film they witnessed during a visit to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat). The committee wished to bring this magnetic experience to parliament.
However, this extravagant idea didn't sit well with Thitawat Narongsang, head of the Information Division, Public Relations Office, who pointed out that people already have access to 4D cinemas. He further suggested that young children who might visit parliament to watch the 4D movie could be inspired to become MPs in the future.
Political analyst Padipat Suntiphada shared a different perspective, emphasizing that what visitors to parliament truly desire is the opportunity to meet MPs in person. In his opinion, dedicating resources to such an endeavor is ill-considered.
3. Sala Kaeo B22m Renovation
Sala Kaeo (Crystal Pavilion), a part of the parliament compound, is scheduled for a 22-million-baht face-lift. Critics question how this renovation will enhance public administration, strengthen international relations, or create an inspiring environment for decision-making.
In response, Jetsada Promyoi, an official from parliament's security office, revealed a committee dedicated to overseeing the renovation, aiming to create a continuous space for the installation of the King Rama VII Memorial and to enhance the surrounding area. The original design of Sala Kaeo consisted of a pavilion with floor seating only, but the renovation will transform it into a multi-purpose venue suitable for state functions and foreign dignitaries. The upgraded pavilion will have two parts: one section reserved for ceremonial events, while the other caters to dining or other activities. Design plans may include water fountains and improved public access areas.
Former first deputy house speaker Padipat Suntiphada aired his concerns about the pavilion's extravagance, commenting that it may deter foreign dignitaries. He further worried that too much attention is focused on embellishing the parliament rather than its core mission: effective lawmaking.
4. Halt the Expensive Committee Room Upgrades!
The draft budget also includes an 118 million baht allocation for upgrading committee rooms. Parit demanded real-world examples to justify this expense, especially if the renovation would directly boost committee productivity. He also questioned why such upgrades were not considered during the initial construction.
According to officials, the reason for the renovation is due to concerns raised by the committee, who found the current layout impractical for their duties. Relocating computer monitors blocked their view of presenters, and the abundance of documents necessitated larger desks. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning was commissioned to redesign the room for enhanced face-to-face interaction and lasting furniture replacements.
The committee remains unconvinced by the renovations, arguing that technology can digitize paperwork, and the use of cameras and screens can compensate for the loss of a sloped floor.
5. Expensive Speaker's Dais Backdrop
Parit also raised concerns about the idea behind the 133-million-baht backdrop of the House Speaker's podium. Parlaiment officials explained that the initial design committee, established during the previous parliament, handled the matter. The original backdrop was made of canvas with traditional Thai artwork. The new backdrop should represent the theme of democracy, highlighting events from 1932 to the present day. The Fine Arts Department was invited to assist in the design process.
Padipat Suntiphada balked at the intricate design, claiming that the speaker's podium should maintain a simple and modest appearance. He felt that such ornate decoration would transform the parliament into a performance stage of likay folk theatre.
In conclusion, controversial budgetary decisions continue to find themselves under the microscope as the public—and the House committee—demand more transparency and accountability in spending. Parit hopes that the House Secretary-General will present the committee's insights and public objections during the executive board meeting scheduled for May 13, and in turn, issue a written resolution specifying which projects will be halted in light of the committee and public's concerns.
Sources:- Thairath, 2022. "House panel seeks review of parliament renovation projects." The Nation, (https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40395833)- NNT, 2022. "MP-led panel reviewed large-scale renovation of Parliament building." New Naratif, (https://www.newnaratif.com/thailand/parliament-redevelopment-budget-discussion-thailand-thailand-2022)- Khaosod English, 2022. "MPs Parking Wars." Khaosod English, (https://www.khaosodenglish.com/thailand-news/analysis/2022/05/10/mps-parking-wars/)
- The debate surrounding the 22-million-baht renovation of Sala Kaeo and its impact on public administration continues to shroud the parliament complex in controversy, with many questioning its relevance to general-news, politics, business, and finance.
- Amidst segments of the political landscape advocating for boosting the parliament's international relations through the renovation of Sala Kaeo, critique persists, arguing that an emphasis on embellishing the parliament may hinder effective lawmaking, intertwining the industry and finance sectors with the parliament's core mission.
