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Even MPs can't escape debt trap
(The Nation (Thailand) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Many people fell deeper in debt during the five years of the Thaksin administration and politicians from both sides of the political fence are also struggling to stay afloat.
Tun Jintavej from the Mahachon Party is having a tough time after failing to contest the April 2 election.
The former MP from Ubon Ratchathani said he was shouldering Bt60,000 in monthly instalments on a Bt2 million Krung Thai Bank loan that he sought before the House was dissolved.
Two re-elected Thai Rak Thai MPs had used their positions to co-guarantee his loan - Niran Namuangruk and Nisit Suntuprai. Former Mahachon MP Thassani Ratanaset from Nakhon Ratchasima is also liable to take over Tun's obligation.
"I'm not rich and the Bt60,000 monthly payment is quite high but I'll find the money to pay the bank because I don't want to trouble my friends who guaranteed my loan. Who would've known that the House would be dissolved,'' he said.
The bank has sent a demand letter to the guarantors. Niran said he would accept responsibility by allowing the bank to deduct payments from his monthly paycheque after the Election Commission endorses his election victory.
MPs earn Bt90,930 after tax, plus allowances and perks.
Nisit, the MP-elect from Roi Et, said he had his own loan from the bank with Bt1.6 million outstanding but was luckier than those who lost the election. "Many MPs are in hock with the bank especially from the Democrat and Chat Thai parties.
Buason Prachamon, Thai Rak Thai MP-elect from Chiang Rai, said he felt sorry for his fellow MPs on the opposition bench who did not get a chance to run in the election. "They are upset with their party leaders but they had to abide by the party's resolution to boycott the poll,'' he said.
Upcountry MPs can run up a lot of expenses, especially during Songkran, he said.
"They need money to take care of people in their constituencies. It's not that we took out loans to splurge on extravagant goods. Some bought cars which they needed to visit their electorate,'' he said.
Nakhon Machim, who used to be a Democrat MP from Phitsanulok, said he was caught off guard by the House dissolution and blamed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for deciding to call a snap election.
"I didn't think politics would take a twist and end up like this. This is because the PM decided to dissolve the House just to solve his problems and the entire country has to bear the consequences of his move,'' he said.
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