Proposed renovations spark controversy among residents
Fire's burnin', 'cause the parliament's askin' for another billion bucks in the budget for renovations, even though they just opened the new joint last year.
People are pissed, includin' several MPs from the People's Party. They're callin' out this decision before discussin' the 3.78-trillion-baht 2026 budget.
The bill got the green light from the cabinet durin' their mobile meet-up in Nakhon Phanom on April 29.
Among the questionable proposals are requests for 113 million baht for the refurbishment of parliament's Sala Kaeo (Crystal Pavilion), and a whopping 180-million-baht spend on a 4D cinema within the complex - which parliament claims will actually be an info room for visitors.
The bill also includes 118 million baht for upgradin' the lightin' in seminar rooms on floors B1 and B2, 117 million baht for renovatin' the parliamentary kitchen area andtransformin' part of it into a recreation room, and another 99-million-baht request for upgradin' the sound and video systems in parliament's 1,500-seat conference room.
Parliament's argue it's all for the better, but folks ain't buyin' it. Debates on the budget bill for the 2026 fiscal year are set for May 28-30.
Wisut Chainarun, the chief government whip and a Pheu Thai Party list MP, said on Monday that the government will slash unnecessary budget allocations and that Pheu Thai MPs will scrutinize the bill to make sure it helps the people.
When asked about the parliament's budget request for renovations, he said the focus should be on boostin' the economy to ease hardship. Both government and opposition MPs need to work together to analyze and reject projects that don't help the public and don't stimulate the economy, he said.
Pheu Thai MPs are holdin' a meeting on May 13 to discuss preparations for the budget bill debate, with workin' panels to be established to review various aspects of the bill, includin' how much is goin' to the economy, education, and public health.
Sirikanya Tansakun, an MP and deputy leader of the opposition People's Party (PP), said the government's been actin' like they don't give a damn about tweakin' their spendin' plan and just want to push the burden of cuttin' unnecessary budget requests onto others.
She says the bill should be sent back for more revisions before bein' resubmitted to parliament.
A House committee on political development, mass communications and public participation, led by Parit Wacharasindhu, a PP MP, is investigatin' the rationale behind parliament lobbyin' for such a massive budget for renovations, even though the buildin' just finished and opened last year.
Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party, also joined the pleas for more clarity and transparency on parliament's apparently unnecessary request for funding for renovations and construction. "Lack of clear info and transparency will ruin parliament's credibility," he said.
Here's what's panicin' folks: the new parliament building, which cost over 13 billion baht, has been faced with issues like a leaking roof, stagnant water, and burstin' pipes since openin' around four years ago[1]. Some of the planned renovations are gettin' attention, like the installation of air conditionin' for a 'glass house' meeting room that's seen as spendin' too much for no good reason 'cause Bangkok's already hot as blazes[1]. Another spendy project is the 120 million baht proposal for renovatin' the parliament museum[1]. The sound system upgrade for the 1,500-seat seminar room is listed to cost 99 million baht[1], and the 118 million baht CB406 meeting room renovation[1], and the parliament kitchen upgrades add up to 117 million baht[1].
All these expenses are seen as unnecessary, especcially since a lotta these facilities have been criticized as unusable and wasteful due to heat issues[5]. People think these huge sums should be spendin' on addressin' crucial public needs rather than furnishin' luxurious additions to the parliament complex[1][4].
- The parliament's proposal for another billion baht in the budget for refurbishments, including a 113 million baht refurbishment of Sala Kaeo and a 180-million-baht 4D cinema, is causing deliberations in politics and general news.
- The finance ministry is set to scrutinize the budget bill for the 2026 fiscal year, with several MPs from the People's Party calling out these proposals before the budgeting process begins.
- In the face of public backlash, the government, through the chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, has pledged to slash unnecessary budget allocations and focus on policy-and-legislation that benefits personal-finance and eases economic hardship.
- The opposition People's Party (PP) and United Thai Nation Party have joined forces in demanding more clarity and transparency on parliament's budget requests for renovations, citing past issues with the parliament building and the perceived waste of public funds.
- House committees are investigating the rationale behind parliament's massive budget request for renovations, with concerns mounting over unnecessary expenses and the potential impact on the parliament's credibility.
