"Sophon” explains lunch controversy for MPs

Today (1 April) at 12:45 PM, at the Parliament food court, Mr. Sophon Saram, the Speaker of Parliament, came down to have lunch. Reporters, who were also buying lunch, noticed him and approached him for an interview. After finishing his meal, Mr. Sophon responded to comments made by Mr. Viroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a former MP of the People's Party, regarding the issue of MPs' lunch at the Parliament. Mr. Sophon stated that the food provided for MPs is from a budget that has already been allocated; even if you don't eat it, the money has already been spent. Mr. Sophon stated that they must have misunderstood, thinking that since this parliamentary session began, they have been paying for 500 people per day. In reality, they are paying for 300 people per day.

When asked by reporters whether there was currently a lump-sum payment system, Mr. Sophon replied that there wasn't and that this had led to the misunderstanding that they were paying but not eating. He emphasized that all MPs can buy their own food and that this system would be discontinued in another week. He reiterated that since this parliamentary session, lunch has been provided based on actual needs, not a lump sum for 500 people. Currently, the parliament provides lunch for 250 to 300 people per day. Any remaining funds are not paid to the contractors providing the lunch, and the surplus is returned to the Office of the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives. Whether or not individuals choose to eat lunch is entirely up to them.