Thai govt spokesman denies '200,000 Baht per day' food budget

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Govt Spokesman Denies '200,000 Baht Per Day' Food Budget

By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has refuted the allegation that Cabinet members are entitled to an excessive "200,000 baht per day" budget on daily food.

The allegation was spread widely on the social network, fanned mostly by anti-government groups. These critics charged that Ms. Yingluck and other Ministers are treated to numerous luxurious meals each day at work.

Some versions of the rumour also comes with a photo showing a wide array of food allegedly served at the Government House.

Mr. Teerat Ratanasevi, Ms. Yingluck′s spokesman, responded by posting a photo of a humble noodle dish on Twitter, saying that it is the kind of cuisine he and other officials, Ms. Yingluck included, eat everyday at work.

"I tell the housekeeper at my office to buy food for me every lunch," Mr. Teerat said.

He further explained that the Government House does have a special budget for the meals served in events that the government welcomed its dignitaries. However, he stressed that the special set of menu is not as extravagant as the ant-government critics have alleged.

For example, he said, the government provided rice with fried chicken and black pepper, and some fruits, to representatives of the industrial sector who met with the Cabinet last month.

Moreover, the Government House only pays for the Cabinet members′ food on days of Cabinet meetings, according to Mr. Teerat.

As for the photo of luxurious meals forwarded by many anti-government critics, it appears that the photo in fact belongs to a menu of a certain restaurant, our correspondent reports. The photo has also been attached in separate rumours about Ms. Yingluck′s excessive meal budget in late 2011.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM056WXdPRGcwTlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-08-28

[chooka]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

[Bodrules]

No one...in other news, a large increase in alcohol taxes has been endorsed...see 'the other place' for further details

Edited August 27, 2013 by Bodrules

[retell]

even if they do get free meals when they are actually at work then on their salary they could easily pay for it

[Moruya]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

Jatuporn

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

If it's free, Thai politicians. If it's something for nothing it's about the only time they don't allow waste.

[Spoonman]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

it may start out at 200k per day but by the time it gets to the tables its 200b with the balance lining peoples pockets.

[doremifasol]

The food is cheap, is the booze that cost money.

[Mosha]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

Yaowapa Wongsawat

[Thait Spot]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

Jatuporn

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Arisman for sure

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[theblether]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

My ex girlfriend. She was unbelievable she was.

[ignis]

Prices have shot up........

Place I used to go to a few times a year in BKK for Buffett Lunch was nice, last time was about 4 years ago - price 450 baht each, I phoned them this last week, but did not book after hearing the price 2,200 baht each !!

Feel sure it the reporting again......... 200k just on food ? or is that the total costs, Chef, cooks, waiting staff etc

[dcutman]

Govt Spokesman Denies '200,000 Baht Per Day' Food Budget

Oooooook

So what is it then? Bt199,999 a day?

[Sayonarax]

i wonder who's the Thai version of Al3x Jon3s?

[moe666]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

My ex girlfriend. She was unbelievable she was.

She was keeping up with you.

[Pimay1]

I noticed the spokesman conveniently did not disclose what the real food budget is. After seeing the clock budget 200,000 is believable.

[jackr]

Moreover, the Government House only pays for the Cabinet members′ food on days of Cabinet meetings, according to Mr. Teerat

You know that whenever someone uses the word 'moreover' they are buttering you up and pulling the wool over your eyes.

[15Peter20]

Desperate mud-slinging in the hope something will stick in the minds of voters.

[gemini81]

Constantly claiming its not and showing they have such a complex that the public suspect otherwise, suggests it is in fact 200,000. They should have taken a basic course in psychology (or common sense for that matter).

Just the showy nature and extravagant lives of these people tell us the truth. You can't hide behind your own mulberry boots!

[15Peter20]

Constantly claiming its not and showing they have such a complex that the public suspect otherwise, suggests it is in fact 200,000. They should have taken a basic course in psychology (or common sense for that matter).

Just the showy nature and extravagant lives of these people tell us the truth. You can't hide behind your own mulberry boots!

So should we infer from your avatar of Jay and Silent Bob that you enjoy smoking pot and hanging around in malls? Just following your lead on 'what outward looks tell us'.

[atsiii]

My goodness: will people go to jail for starting this nasty rumor on social media? It's as bad as suggesting there might be a coup.

[Cuban]

Is this a case of their expenses claim limit is 200,000 Baht?

[newermonkey]

I don't know if this is fact of fiction but look at the government house canteen its quite nice:

[drdoom6996]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

Who one earth could spend 70,000 Baht for a clock to hang above the door. It's all for show. Probably not even half eaten.

[drdoom6996]

Is this a case of their expenses claim limit is 200,000 Baht?

I don't know about you, but if my limit is 100 dollars a day I spend 100 dollars a day.

[SOTIRIOS]

....eat street food and pocket the rest......

...who is there to stop them....

...people are murdered, threatened, pursued or arrested if they speak out....

...their senate reform is unconstitutional.....but they are bent on passing it...

...they do as they please and say whatever they have to...

...does anyone expect these scum balls to ever admit wrongdoing.....

[Spare]

Are free meal taxable?

Considered as income?

[BuddyPinkham]

Who on earth could possibly eat 200K worth of food per day.

It probably includes a massive tip to each of the cabinet members who eat the lunches

[Songhua]

So it's about equivalent to Charlerm's drinks allowance.

[stoli]

The last thing we need is for our leaders to be dining at McDonalds. Come on, nice lunches is part of every business experience. This happens all over the world and is expected, No one is spending 200,000 baht a day for their family meal. Just politics and Facebook bitchin.