Political parties decry government’s change of subsidy for Thai senior citizens

[snoop1130]

 

The current caretaker administration’s change of ministerial regulations, regarding the welfare subsidy for all Thai citizens aged 60 and over, to only people who do not have an income or who do not have sufficient income has come under fierce attack by politicians from various parties.

 

The new regulation came into force on August 12th, after its publication in the Royal Gazette.

 

Under the old Interior Ministry regulation, all Thai nationals aged 60 and over, who are not government officials or state enterprise workers, were entitled to a state subsidy, amounting to between 600 and 1,000 baht per month, depending on their age.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/political-parties-decry-governments-change-of-subsidy-for-thai-senior-citizens/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-08-14

 

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[ikke1959]

Shameful, while a few Thais and the unspoken one have so much money that they don't know what to do with it.. The amounts are already out of date and need to be raised at least 5 times and than it is still not enough. Shameful for the elite and upper class that this can happen. Don't spend the money to go to moon, but help people for the economy and lesser household debts. 

[pegman]

The Junta once again demonstrating how reprehensible it really is. 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Shameful for the elite and upper class that this can happen

The have no shame.

[RichardColeman]

Part of being a politician should be having to spend 1 month on the lowest 'benefits' income of a family or pensioner - you cannot manage then you either resign or change the amount given

[Srikcir]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The new regulation came into force on August 12th, after its publication in the Royal Gazette.

How can this happen without approval from Parliament?

This regulation by the current caretaker government effectively reduces the government budget for this subsidy. I understood that a caretaker government cannot alter existing Parliament approved budgets and this new regulation lowers the government's spending for the yet to be passed by Parliament  the government's FY 2024 budget (Oct. 2023-Sept. 2024). 

 

[chmeatloaf]

Thai logic. Only Thai politicans can understand, not the common people on the streets to complain.

[kennw]

25 minutes ago, chmeatloaf said:

Thai logic. Only Thai politicans can understand, not the common people on the streets to complain.

They need to reduce expenditure to pay for the submarine and commission.

[Andycoops]

Absolutely outrageous and these military Muppets and their billionaire cronies know no shame when it comes to their contempt for the lives of ordinary citizens.

 

Meanwhile they waste billions on submarines with no engines and other army boys toys.

Edited August 15, 2023 by Andycoops

[Elkski]

But surely the Hiso dont need this 600 baht each month.  I didnt see and  cutoff income levels mentioned?  Im not sure where the line is but thais who make over 100k month maybe dont need help. 

[Purdey]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

only people who do not have an income or who do not have sufficient income

It would appear that the people who really need the money will still receive it. Not sure what the threshold for an income would be or how insufficient income is calculated, but anyone with a job may not be desperate for the money..

[timendres]

7 hours ago, Elkski said:

But surely the Hiso dont need this 600 baht each month.  I didnt see and  cutoff income levels mentioned?  Im not sure where the line is but thais who make over 100k month maybe dont need help. 

Agreed. Means testing is not necessarily a bad thing. But, in my opinion, they should put every baht saved by means testing into the subsidies of those who still qualify, raising their benefits.