Absent assembly members still picking up huge paycheques
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When I saw the list of seven National Legislative Assembly members who habitually play hooky from Parliament, one name shocked me.
No, it wasn’t General Preecha Chan-o-cha, our PM’s little brother, but Suphan Mongkul-sutee, a prominent businessman and honorary president of the Federation of Thai Industries. He is also an active member of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand. Khun Suphan, if you are too busy to attend the assembly, you should quit. Worse still, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam effectively spoke in favour of the truancy, saying that even if seven were regular no-shows, the remaining 200-plus members could still function normally. Amen to that.
Rarely showing up for work yet still taking home a monthly salary of Bt123,560 seems almost like committing a crime. Is this considered corruption? I guess not!
Somsak Pola
