"Dr. Warong" Pushes to Abolish MP-Senator Pensions "We Volunteer to Serve, Not to Be Supported by the People for Life!"

Today, May 7, 2026, at approximately 11:30 AM at the Parliament House, Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, a Party-list MP and leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, formally received a petition from a civil society group led by Mr. Arnon Klinkaew, Chairman of the People's Center to Protect the Monarchy. The petition calls for a comprehensive reform of the benefits and privileges enjoyed by Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators across three critical areas.

The primary demands include the abolition of parliamentary immunity, which is often viewed as a legal shield to evade prosecution in cases such as Article 112 (Lese Majeste) or money laundering. Additionally, the group is pushing for the cancellation of lifelong pensions for politicians and a significant reduction in the number of personal assistants for each MP—from eight down to three. The objective is to reallocate the saved budget toward public welfare initiatives, such as increasing elderly allowances and funding school lunch programs.

The civil society representatives argued that since MPs and Senators are temporary political appointees rather than career civil servants, providing them with lifelong pensions creates a sense of social injustice. This is particularly poignant in the current economic climate, where many citizens are struggling. They further asserted that the removal of legal immunity would ensure that representatives operate under the same legal standards as the public, encouraging bravery, integrity, and accountability without relying on special protections to bypass judicial scrutiny.

In response, Dr. Warong expressed his full support for the proposals, stating his conviction that the majority of Thai citizens do not wish to bear the tax burden of supporting politicians for life. He emphasized that the "Fund for Former Members of Parliament" needs urgent reform. Dr. Warong announced that he would bring the issue of abolishing pensions to the new committee's discussion as early as this afternoon. Regarding the reduction of assistants and the abolition of immunity—which involve constitutional amendments—he pledged to advocate for these changes at the appropriate legislative opportunity. Dr. Warong concluded with a strong stance, asserting that people’s representatives must volunteer to serve the public, not enter office to be served by the public until death, which he described as an unacceptable act of exploitation.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong