The case of a deputy House speaker using the entertainment budget to treat parliament maids to moo krata (barbecued pork buffet) throws much-needed light on how elected lawmakers and officials spend position perks financed by taxpayers. The case is a reminder that a better mechanism is needed to monitor how these lawmakers spend taxpayers’ money.
Deputy House speaker Padipat Suntiphada, a Move Forward Party MP from Phitsanulok, is in hot water after reportedly forking out over 90,000 baht from the entertainment budget agreed by parliament to treat 370 maids to an all-you-can-eat buffet last Friday.
Mr Padipat denied accusations that he had used the cash to promote his own popularity. He proudly explained that he just wanted to listen to the opinions of the maids and promote equality.
While the…
