House passes bill on welfare for former MPs, senators

The bill, which passed by a vote of 374:0, will have the government allocate funds for health and other benefits for former MPs or senators. A new agency under the House secretariat will be set up to take care of the fund.
In his New Year speech, House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranon urged government officials to be ready to make more sacrifices in 2013, adding that they should work as a team. He also said that under-performers will most certainly be demoted.
Somsak went on to say that he will do his best to provide welfare to the officials, including a bonus as well as 2,000 rooms for housing, but added that any benefits provided will have to be justified.