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Published on March 24, 2008

Former senators yesterday warned the new upper House members against repeating the same mistakes and misconduct committed by the "Senate of Slaves", especially by allowing political interference or siding with political parties.

They were referring to the country's first elected Senate of 2000.

At a seminar on the role of senators in Senate committees in Chon Buri, Chumpol Silpa-archa, a former senator elected in 2000, revealed how others lobbied to get the post of chairman on the powerful economic and agricultural committees.

He said the "Senate of Slaves" was notorious for having several factions.

"Powerful politicians would invite senators to be part of their camps. They would get together and have dinner in luxurious hotels. If you belonged to a group, you could request 'welfare' such as cars, houses or foreign trips, or even legal assistance for court cases," Chumpol said.

He said there was heavy political interference. The speaker was always on the phone with the ex-premier.

"The senators applauded the premier, opened the car door for him, appointed his brother as adviser. I hope the new senators will not do such things," he said.

Chumpol said the "Senate of Slaves" was also accused of failing to appoint neutral independent agencies, especially the three former election commissioners, who were convicted of violating election law in the April 2006 national polls.

"Some senators received extra allowances from politicians. Money was put into 42 envelopes and distributed at a hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road," he said.

Chumpol called on the new Senate speaker not to appoint 44 advisers as the first elected speaker did. He urged senators not to throw their weight about with parliament officials.

He accused former senators of misconduct, saying some sent their girlfriends to sign their names at meetings so they could received their allowances.

"It was quite disgusting and I hope this time no senator is allowed to sit on more than three Senate committees," he said.

"Some of them also took their families or mistresses with them on overseas trips, and the expenses were paid by the House. Instead of going for inspection or educational tours as part of their work, they went shopping. They also acted big and appalled other passengers on the plane."

He called for the setting up of a standing committee that monitors the behaviour of senators. He said the Senate speaker plays a significant role in keeping the Senate's image clean. "If the head does not roll, the tail will not wag," he said.

Former senator Maleerat Kaewka said she was offered monthly allowances to side with a political party. She warned incumbent senators to beware of inducements.

The Nation