Parliament responds to Dr. Voranung over former lawmakers' fund controversy, clarifies annual health checkup and international school tuition assistance limits
Parliament defended its former lawmakers' fund benefits, clarifying that annual health checkups are capped at 130,000 baht and international school tuition assistance is limited to 13,200-25,000 baht per child under strict Finance Ministry
Parliament's office has responded to criticism from Dr. Voranung Dechakitvikrom, a Thai Pakdee party list MP, regarding benefits provided through the former lawmakers' fund. On May 21, 2025, Deputy Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Nattakrit Wongjareun, speaking as spokesman for the Parliament's office, clarified that annual health checkups are a one-time benefit capped at 130,000 baht yearly, not an excessive entitlement as alleged. The fund committee revised its medical treatment definition in 2024 regulations to emphasize that preventive health examinations save more budget than curative treatment. Regarding international school tuition assistance, the office emphasized strict adherence to Finance Ministry guidelines limiting education support to 13,200-25,000 baht annually per child, applicable only to private schools receiving or not receiving government subsidies. Benefits are available for up to two legally recognized children from primary through undergraduate level, each under age 25, with only one parent eligible to apply if both are legislators.