A parliamentary committee has recommended tightening eligibility rules for welfare benefits granted to former MPs, including raising the threshold for lifetime allowances and reviewing funding arrangements for the welfare scheme.
The House committee on parliamentary affairs on Friday released preliminary conclusions of a June 10 meeting on welfare and benefit reforms for former parliamentarians and parliamentary personnel, following a proposal by Bangkok MP Bhuntin Noumjerm of the opposition People's Party.
The committee recommended that former lawmakers qualify for lifetime subsistence payments only after serving a combined total of at least four years across one or more terms.
It said the change would align with the constitutional term of office for MPs while reducing reliance on state funding and improving the fund's financial sustainability.
Members also proposed increasing revenue sources and adjusting contribution rates to ensure greater fairness between former MPs.
The move is intended to address concerns that some lawmakers who served briefly and contributed little could still receive long-term benefits.
The committee also cited the need to close potential loopholes that could allow party-list MPs or senators who serve short periods to become eligible for lifetime welfare benefits.
