(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The Senate has agreed to have its secretariat arrange meals on sitting days, with senators covering the costs themselves, in a bid to curb public spending amid economic strain. At a meeting of the Senate whip chaired by Senate President Mongkol Surasajja, members discussed lunch provisions for senators during the first ordinary parliamentary session of 2026. Under the 2026 Budget Act, the Senate secretariat has been allocated 14.28 million baht for meals and refreshments for senators and staff on meeting days throughout the year. Based on the allocated food rates, about 2 million baht would have been spent, leaving roughly 12 million baht available for reallocation to other Senate needs, subject to the Senate president's discretion. Meanwhile, House Speaker Sophon Zarum said criticism of members of parliament's lunch spending was based on a misunderstanding.

Source: Bangkok Post April 02, 2026 23:44 UTC