Stop hiring relatives, NRC members told

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: The National Reform Council has instructed its members to terminate the employment of their relatives after it was revealed that 12 NRC members had hired family members to work for them, Wanchai Sornsiri, spokesman of the NRC whip, said yesterday.

The move follows a public outcry over allegations of nepotism and cronyism hitting the National Legislative Assembly after it was found that more than 50 NLA members had hired their spouses, children or other kin to help them with official duties.

The Secretariat of the House of Representatives revealed that NRC members hired relatives, as follows:
Kittiphon Thungklang hired Passorn Thungklang for 15,000 baht a month;
Kusaimahwansafinah Manoonthawee hired Abeedee Manoonthawee for 15,000 baht a month;
Charus Suthigoolabutr hired Narongchai Suthigoolabutr for 20,000 baht;
Jarernsak Salakij hired Pisut Salakij for 20,000 baht;
Tiwar Kankrasang hired Sakon Kankrasang for 15,000 baht;
Teerasak Panichwit hired Natchanont Panichwit for 15,000 baht;
Manas Roobkajorn hired Watcharadej Roobkajorn 15,000 baht;
Wanchai Sornsiri hired Chattip Sornsiri for 20,000 baht;
Sayumporn Limthai hired It Limthai for 15,000 baht;
Suvat Singhapant hired Thanyanut Singhapant for 15,000 baht;
Uthai Sonluksub hired Panida Sonluksub for 15,000 baht; and
Ubol Limsakul hired Panomda Limsakul 15,000 baht.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, NRC whip secretary, said the council was ready to disclose information as NRC members are public figures and they have a responsibility to help bring about reform because society has put its hope and faith in them.

He admitted that the revelations adversely affected the NRC’s image. He said there were some NRC members who had hired family members as their aides who are not accepting any salaries and benefits.

NRC member Wanchai admitted that he had hired his daughter but insisted that she was qualified. He said he would follow the NRC’s whip decision to terminate her employment. NRC member Suwat Singhapant said he had Major Thanyanut Singhapant work for him and that he had written to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives seeking permission.

— Phuket Gazette Editors