Thailand needs welfare schemes based on rights not charity, experts say

[webfact]

 

With a general election just around the corner, political parties are now competing to woo voters via the popular welfare card scheme. Academics, however, warn that this scheme has already failed to tackle poverty or improve Thais’ overall living standard, and is likely to remain ineffective unless reformed.

 

“If the welfare card is so good, why is the number of people living below the poverty line rising?” asked Kritsada Theerakosonphong, a Silapakorn University lecturer who researches social and state welfare in Thailand.

 

Launched six years ago, the scheme offers people aged over 18 who earn no more than 100,000 baht per year various types of state welfare. For instance, people in this income group are eligible for a subsidy of a few hundred baht for their household bills, and another 500 baht in public transport allowance.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-needs-welfare-schemes-based-on-rights-not-charity-experts-say/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-30

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[swm59nj]

Yes there is room for improvement .  I see in Bangkok so many adults and children living in types of shanty towns. People shouldn’t have to live like that.  
People might say the people are lazy, drunks, whatever.  But that is not everyone.  Some might have met bad times.  Or too old to find work according to the age standards here. They might not have the benefit of proper education.  Or when they were young children had to work to help their families survive. And couldn’t attend school much. 
Living in Thailand I see.  If you don’t have university education with a good job.  Life can be very tough, a struggle. 

[Srikcir]

Based on "right" is a slogan but not reality.

State welfare is funded by the State. As such it competes for funding for the military, Buddhist temples, massive infrastructure projects going to the same corporations, etc. And supplemented by political arbitrary one-time "Gifts."

Income equality is squeezed by increasing wealth of the elite (so-called 1%). Where is the Right here?

There needs to be more funding for the former by less priority to the latter as well as more funding, ie., by higher taxation of the wealthy individuals and large corporations. The mechanisms are known, ie., earned income credit, higher minimum wages, more trade union power, more elected progressive politicians. 

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, swm59nj said:

Living in Thailand I see.  If you don’t have university education with a good job.  Life can be very tough, a struggle. 

Not just in Thailand dude. This a a global phenomenon. Back home the red tape for welfare makes it so difficult to get anything to the point that the homeless are overtaking public parks. And if that ain't enough every year dozens die of exposure during the winter months. The world sucks and only the 1% truly get anything out of this world. 

OCCUPY WALL STREET!!!! lol  ; )

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“If the welfare card is so good, why is the number of people living below the poverty line rising?”

In short, Prayuts 8 year reign.

[Pedrogaz]

Sadly more welfare 'rights' mean means more dosh sloshing around the system....which leads to yet more and more corruption and abuse in Thailand. I can just see a poor peasant going to claim his, let's say 1000 baht and the uniformed cashier hands him 500 baht....what does he do? Who does he complain to? 

[ikke1959]

A good tax system would help to pay a good welfare system... but as almost nobody (wants)to pay taxes there is too less money

[Deli]

Defund Army, Politicians, Police and someone special and there would be enough money to start a welfare system. But not here.

[Elkski]

Don't old people get like 600 baht a month.  But a bottle of loa khao is 120 and  big bottle of Leo is like 80 baht.   How much are cigarettes?  It's crazy