Parliament officials up in arms over 'prostrate' order

Photo by Prasert Thepsri

Central Administration for Parliament director Chanpen Arnamwat issued an order citing a complaint from a parliamentary committee scrutinising the 2010 budget, that some Parliament officials were not giving MPs respect and honour.

The committee suggested the officials work with a more service-oriented attitude to the best of their ability. Following the complaint, the office issued a directive for officials to prostrate before any MP they came across, provide service with respect and with the utmost competency.

After the order has been circulated to all offices of Parliament, there was heavy protest from the officials.

Parliament secretary-general Pitoon Pumhiran responded to the outcry by saying the officials who circulated the order had called him and admitted it was a misunderstanding.

He said he would not punish them since he believed Parliament staff are obligated to give respect to MPs according to the Parliament Officials Code. However they do not have to prostrate themselves before MPs.

"According to the code, custom and culture, they should give service with honour and respect but in practice they may not strictly observe the rule. We still advise that they follow the rule but not to the point they have to prostrate [themselves],'' he said.

He said apart from complaints about lack of respect, food and cleanliness were among problems MPs wanted improved

Pheu Thai Party Yala MP Sugarno Matha said he was the one who filed the complaint after he felt some officials behaved inappropriately and did not honour MPs, especially newly recruited staff.