Parliament's overseas excursion system may need review: Somsak

Somsak added that he was OK with the House Committee on Parliamentary Affairs investigating the trip after criticism that it featured extravagant hotel stays and functions, including expensive soccer matches, and that members of the entourage were selected on grounds of favouritism. 

The committee has yet to summon the Speaker for questioning since he returned from the controversial trip. 

“My position has nothing to do with the probe. The committee has the right to summon me for questioning. I organised this excursion with good intentions and believe it was worthwhile, especially since we got to see the BBC television station. I plan to develop digital television for Parliament,’’ he said.

However, he did not confirm reports that the trip cost up to Bt7 million in taxpayers’ money, saying he did not know the exact figure but insisted that he personally paid for tickets to the soccer matches and the travelling expenses of his daughter Ploypailin. 

“I believe the excursion went according to rules and regulations, including my own judgement. If it is not right, I think we have to review the entire system,’’ Somsak said.

Meanwhile, 62 Democrat Party lawmakers led by Songkhla MP Wirat Kullyasiri submitted a petition to Somsak seeking a Constitutional Court ruling over disqualifying Pheu Thai’s Yongyuth Wichaidit from his MP status. Yongyuth stepped down as deputy prime minister and interior minister after the Civil Service Commission fired him as a civil servant.

The CSC’s decision came after the National Anti-Corruption Commission ruled that Yongyuth was guilty of malfeasance over the Alpine land controversy.

Somsak said he would check the petition in two weeks before deciding whether it needed a court ruling.