NRC president calls hiring of relatives an 'ethical decision'

NRC president calls hiring of relatives an 'ethical decision'

National Reform Council president Thienchay Kiranandana presides over the opening of a centre to accept public opinion on reform issues in November. (Bangkok Post file photo)
National Reform Council president Thienchay Kiranandana presides over the opening of a centre to accept public opinion on reform issues in November. (Bangkok Post file photo)

National Reform Council president Thienchay Kiranandana insisted Wednesday that lawmakers faced no legal restriction on hiring family members as personal aides, but said it was an ethical decision they had to make.

The NRC president was responding to the storm of public criticism aimed at about 70 NLA members who employed family members at public expense.

Mr Thienchay said he was not aware of NRC members appointing relatives as personal aides, as such appointments did not require his approval.

Personally, he had not hired any family members because his work on the NRC will last only a short time and existing officials have helped him well enough with their official duties.

In the event that NRC members are found to have appointed relatives as aides, he said the NRC will follow the NLA's lead and request that those aides resign.

Earlier: Whips urge NLA nepotism halt

He maintained there was no legal or regulatory restriction on appointing family members, but said individual members will have to make their own decisions on whether it is ethical.

NRC member Paibul Nititawan agreed with the NRC president's remarks, saying the perceived nepotism created too much public criticism. Any issue that triggered such criticism should be avoided, he said.

He added that he did not appoint any relatives as aides.

In past years, former senators also hired relatives because they wanted trusted and knowledgeable people to assist them with legal matters, said Mr Thienchay.

Earlier this week, the NLA whips called on members who have appointed relatives as aides to retroactively end their employment effective from March 1.

NLA deputy president Surachai Liangboonlertchai predicted members would heed the call in order to set a standard for future politicians. He said several NLA members already had terminated the employment of their relatives.

At least 70 NLA members had appointed family members, including wives and children, as personal specialists, personal experts and personal assistants with monthly salaries of 15,000-24,000 baht.

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