MPs' pay rise expected to raise tempers

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MPs' pay rise expected to raise tempers

Published: 18/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Widespread public criticism is expected of the cabinet's approval in principle for a proposal to raise the salaries and allowances of MPs and senators.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, who oversees state media, conceded the approval of the pay and welfare increases could come under heavy fire and the government needed to explain the reasons to the public.

Lawmakers, particularly MPs, have been lambasted for causing several parliamentary sessions to be brought to a halt over the past few weeks due to the lack of a quorum.

Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the salary hikes will benefit the house speaker and his deputies, the senate speaker and his deputies, the opposition leader, house members, senators and members of parliamentary committees.

The salaries of house members and senators will rise from 63,000 baht to 67,790 baht and their monthly allowances from 41,000 baht to 42,330 baht.

The parliament president's remuneration will be equal to that of the prime minister - a salary of 71,990 baht with allowances worth 50,000 baht.

Besides, the meeting allowance of parliamentary committee members will rise from 1,000 baht to 1,200 baht a meeting and that of parliamentary subcommittee members will go up from 500 baht to 800 baht a meeting. In addition, the cabinet ordered the Finance Ministry to consider increases in MPs' welfare, health insurance and travel expenses.

About the author

: Writer: Pradit Ruangdit; Position: Reporter

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kasper

Discussion 15 : 18/11/2009 at 11:35 AM15
The politicians are not there for the salary, but for the money they can make through corrupt deals.
I'm guessing most of these deals are worth several millions in tea money, in some cases hundreds of millions, so what makes you think they care if their salary is 60,000 or 100,000 Baht? It is the position that counts, not the salary, and therefore no amount of pay rise is going to change that.
Brian

Discussion 14 : 18/11/2009 at 11:28 AM14
The country is in the worst shape ever and the cabinet decided to vote themselves a pay raise?

The country is a mess because of these exact politicians. Until they can fix the country, these politicians do not deserve anything.

Half of them never show up to do their job anyways.

These same cabinet ministers cannot increase minimum wages, provide education for the poor or do anything at all for the people.

This is a sad example of what Thailand has become. People in power taking care of themselves at the expense of the entire Nation.

If the people of Thailand allow this, I feel sorry for them.
Jim in Auburn

Discussion 13 : 18/11/2009 at 10:34 AM13
It does not matter how much you pay the MPs. If there is an environment of corruption, they will continue to be corrupt, it does not matter what they are paid. Until there are serious charges and jail time for corruption there will always be corruption. If you make 100,000 THB a month, but if you are corrupt, you can make 300,000 THB a month. If you make 300,000 a month, but if you were corrupt, you could make 500,000 a month. They do it for the money, and because they feel that they are owed it because of their position.
Lewis

Discussion 12 : 18/11/2009 at 10:10 AM12
Give them more and they will want more
Higher pay never equals less corruption,
just means you drive a mercedes instead of a VW
kngdady

Discussion 11 : 18/11/2009 at 10:02 AM11
It really is not about the raises but the status of goverment officials where they are in a position to promote curruption.
MMouse

Discussion 10 : 18/11/2009 at 09:35 AM10
Keith, corruption is not only about poverty though it is a factor. Thaksin with all his money is corrupt even most of his supporters know and accept this. To many of these people more money means more oppurtunities to make even more. Their sights are set higher, their greed increases. Corruption is part of a mindset, the mai pen rai attitude of Thais allows it and the reluctance to punish anyone gaurentees it.
Philip

Discussion 9 : 18/11/2009 at 09:27 AM9
Hey, when the graft starts to dry up due to economic reasons with businesses closing down and people traveling elsewhere, ya gotta replace it with something from somewhere.
Bill W

Discussion 8 : 18/11/2009 at 09:22 AM8
This is absolutely disgusting. Many people in this country are working hard and scaping by to make a living. In the meantime these over pampered MP's and Senators are going to be voted a pay raise by the cabinet? You must be kidding? This makes me sick.
These fat cats do nothing but posture with their fake "wais" and pretending alligence while all the time lining their own pockets at the expense of the country. You need to do something productive for the country before you get rewarded with a raise! Oh by the way read the BP piece on corruption and see how well you have been conducting business for Thailand in the eyes of the world. It's disgraceful!
keith bell

Discussion 7 : 18/11/2009 at 08:54 AM7
If you pay a fair rate for the job there will be little or no corruption. Take a leaf out of the Singapore Gov.
This is it

Discussion 6 : 18/11/2009 at 08:49 AM6
This make me sick in the stomach...What made these people deserve such pay raises at the time of economic difficulty? What do these politicians and bureaucrats do? Nothing. Once they are in the government they feel so "entitled". They care little about other citizens or constituents or even less about the well-being of their country. They live lavish lifestyles despite coming from a poor country and go on useless junket tours using tax-payers money. You would scream if you know how much they usually spend on full price for those TG flights. It's like 1.5 million baht for 3 persons to come spending the week in western countries in the guise of "study tour". You would scream because these people know no boundary and spit in the face of accountability. They talk good governance but their actions HYPOCRITICAL!
Bring back civilian government elected by the people NOW.

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MPs' pay rise expected to raise tempers