‘No curb on inequality’: Experts say huge rich-poor divide will remain under new govt

[webfact]

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vow to curb generational poverty has failed to convince several experts, who point out that his government policies are mainly designed for short-term economic gains.

 

“If you examine the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s policies, you see that they are only aimed at stimulating the economy. Economic stimulus does not equate to ending poverty,” said Nitirat Sapsomboon, coordinator for the WeFair network.

 

WeFair advocates policies to curb social and economic inequality and enhance access to social welfare.

 

Pheu Thai’s mindset is dominated by capitalism and private business, Nitirat said. The ruling party seems to think that if it can grow the economy to create “a bigger cake”, everyone will benefit, he added.

 

“But if Pheu Thai continues on this path, it won’t be able to curb inequality. The government needs to understand that boosting people’s income is not the solution to [structural] inequalities.”

 

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-30

 

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[tomazbodner]

In the suggestions in linked article, there were many of the socialistic countries' policies, but the difference is that in those, either taxes are high and more or less everyone pays their share, or income is negotiated in net salary, so (high) deductions aren't even visible. In Thailand, other than some middle class, barely anyone pays taxes, so to get such a scheme going, the rich and the poor would have to be taxed. Putting more burden on middle class will break it and cause even a larger gap. But just think of who is in power. Are they ever going to go out on their limb to tax themselves to finance this? In your dreams.

[Sydebolle]

‘No curb on inequality’: Experts say huge rich-poor divide will remain under new govt" - really?

If you ask me, the curb is widening while we speak ........ at least on the countryside 

[tkramer]

A curb on inequality would go against Thai culture...

 

heaven forbid!

 

THIS...is Thai culture...

 

 

Edited September 30, 2023 by tkramer

[newnative]

Absolutely, and despite what the PM says, the proposed tax on imported money will do nothing to 'curb' the inequality.   

[retarius]

It is a cast iron law of democratic capitalism. The greediest become rich, then those rich get richer and richer as they subvert capitalism too make governments their servants. 98% of of the profits from economic growth manage to make their way into the pockets of the super rich. Amazing isn't it, the company you own does really well from no competition government contacts and grows q100% a year and your workers get sweet FA. A sick joke. 

[dinsdale]

Doesn't matter what political system, there will always be a divide. Capitalism, level playing field and trickle down effect is just a crock. The entire global economic system is designed to keep the poor poor and now to force more middle class people in the same direction. Greed is rife. Corruption is rife. Appeasement of share holders is rife. Massive payouts for CEO's and failed CEO's is rife. It's out of control. More wars, more coups it's all made to force us into subserviance. Next is the digital cashless society and more forced vaccinations.

[sscc]

 

The full article showed dozens of data,  I found it rather confusing and decided to dig into it. 

 

 According to "Gini"  latest   ( the higher the figure, the more inequality ) 

 

Germany         0.29

France             0.30

Norway           0.25 

Sweden           0.26

USA                  0.39

Canada            0.30

Australia          0.34 

 

china               0.38

Japan             0.33

South Korea   0.34 

Laos                0.38

Indonesia        0.37

Thailand         0.35 

Philippines      0.41 

Malaysia         0.41      

Singapore      0.45 

Hong Kong    0.53 

 

Actually Thailand is the better one among ASEAN.  

 

As to what the new Thai Government is doing to help the poor,  raising the minimum wage is one step in tackling the issue. .   Remain to see if there will be more policy to come out. 

 

 

[tkramer]

1 hour ago, newnative said:

Absolutely, and despite what the PM says, the proposed tax on imported money will do nothing to 'curb' the inequality.   

As if anybody with a brain thought it would...

[tkramer]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

It is a cast iron law of democratic capitalism. The greediest become rich, then those rich get richer and richer as they subvert capitalism too make governments their servants. 98% of of the profits from economic growth manage to make their way into the pockets of the super rich. Amazing isn't it, the company you own does really well from no competition government contacts and grows q100% a year and your workers get sweet FA. A sick joke. 

Near as I can tell...we all descended from the trees about the same time... 

[tkramer]

1 hour ago, sscc said:

 

The full article showed dozens of data,  I found it rather confusing and decided to dig into it. 

 

 According to "Gini"  latest   ( the higher the figure, the more inequality ) 

 

Germany         0.29

France             0.30

Norway           0.25 

Sweden           0.26

USA                  0.39

Canada            0.30

Australia          0.34 

 

china               0.38

Japan             0.33

South Korea   0.34 

Laos                0.38

Indonesia        0.37

Thailand         0.35 

Philippines      0.41 

Malaysia         0.41      

Singapore      0.45 

Hong Kong    0.53 

 

Actually Thailand is the better one among ASEAN.  

 

As to what the new Thai Government is doing to help the poor,  raising the minimum wage is one step in tackling the issue. .   Remain to see if there will be more policy to come out. 

 

 

Actually, I have no problem with inequality. Some people choose to, and some people don't. The degree of 'apathy' ingrained into Thai culture is accepted by almost everyone.

 

'Rice in the field...fish in the stream'.

 

It's no accident that the top 50 wealthiest families (are Chinese who immigrated to Thailand) have all the money. Thailand left the barn door open. I think this is called...'natural selection', and it happens in every specie. 

 

There are several very famous publications from the 1930's with titles such as ..."Bangkok - The Chinese Problem". They knew it was happening, but they did not know what to do about it. And after 1949, with the accent of King Rama IX...who was half Chinese...

 

However, truth be told, Thailand is so very insignificant compared to what is coming for the UK, Europe, and the US.

Edited September 30, 2023 by tkramer

[dinsdale]

50 minutes ago, sscc said:

 

The full article showed dozens of data,  I found it rather confusing and decided to dig into it. 

 

 According to "Gini"  latest   ( the higher the figure, the more inequality ) 

 

Germany         0.29

France             0.30

Norway           0.25 

Sweden           0.26

USA                  0.39

Canada            0.30

Australia          0.34 

 

china               0.38

Japan             0.33

South Korea   0.34 

Laos                0.38

Indonesia        0.37

Thailand         0.35 

Philippines      0.41 

Malaysia         0.41      

Singapore      0.45 

Hong Kong    0.53 

 

Actually Thailand is the better one among ASEAN.  

 

As to what the new Thai Government is doing to help the poor,  raising the minimum wage is one step in tackling the issue. .   Remain to see if there will be more policy to come out. 

 

 

More populist policies? Where does the money come from? Smokers and drinkers coming soon it'll be time to shell out more. This will be the 1st tax target IMO. Apart from this the Govt will have to borrow money. Just more amateur pigs at the trough working out how to fill their own pockets whilst looking like their doing something for those struggling day by day which is the majority of the population..

[dinsdale]

Just now, tkramer said:

It's no accident that the top 50 wealthiest families (are Chinese who immigrated to Thailand) have all the money. Thailand left the barn door open. I think this is called...'natural selection', and it happens in every specie. 

Complete rubbish. It's called wealth, power and greed.

[tkramer]

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Complete rubbish. It's called wealth, power and greed.

Yeah...just like I said...'natural selection'.

 

How's about...'survival of the fittest'...

 

"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone..."

 

Evolution makes no mistakes.

Edited September 30, 2023 by tkramer

[tkramer]

7 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Complete rubbish. It's called wealth, power and greed.

Says 'dinsdale' who himself comes from a wealthy, powerful, and greedy country...

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, tkramer said:

Yeah...just like I said...'natural selection'.

 

How's about...'survival of the fittest'...

Do you mean survival of the richest maybe? Survival of the most corrupt maybe? I don't think this has anything to do with nature. Just greed.

[tkramer]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Do you mean survival of the richest maybe? Survival of the most corrupt maybe? I don't think this has anything to do with nature. Just greed.

Again, says 'dinsdale...who himself comes from a wealthy, powerful, and greedy country.

[dinsdale]

Just now, tkramer said:

Says 'dinsdale' who himself comes from a wealthy, powerful, and greedy country...

Ah! So everyone in Australia (yep I'm an Aussie) is wealthy, powerful and greedy as such so am I. Best to take a little more thought and time with your comments.

[tkramer]

'dinsdale'...that's 2 out of 2. Care to try for 3 out of 3...?

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, tkramer said:

'dinsdale'...that's 2 out of 2. Care to try for 3 out of 3...?

Sure. 2 to me. 0 to you.????

[tkramer]

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Sure. 2 to me. 0 to you.????

Greedy bastard...!

 

I know you can't help it...it's in your DNA.

Edited September 30, 2023 by tkramer

[dinsdale]

12 minutes ago, tkramer said:

Greedy bastard...!

Bastard yes. Greedy no. I belive that's 3-nil.

Bastard can be a term of endearment in Aus.

You're a handsome bastard.

You lucky bastard.

Etc. ????

Edited September 30, 2023 by dinsdale

[Sigmund]

Social (wealth that is) equity can never be implemented.

 

How else can the rich remain rich ? The collapse of communism did show the limits of any system of equity, where corruption and privileges where as present amongst the ruling.

 

Socialism will shortly follow a collapse in the west with all the mistakes Europe is making on various issues.

[PETERTHEEATER]

I can help.I will ask the 'Levelling Up' Minister of the UK Governmet to Zoom in a few tips to Thai PM.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

“If you examine the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s policies, you see that they are only aimed at stimulating the economy

I'm not sure it's even going to do that, he reckons the digital wallet alone is going to boost the GDP by around 5%..

[nausea]

The transfer of wealth to an ever smaller elite is an inevitability of history.

[swerve]

This new main guy comes across as a loser.  I have zero confidence that he will do anything good.