PM Abhisit To Set 'People's Agenda' Today

[webfact]

PM to set 'people's agenda' today

By The Nation

Bt17-bn welfare plan is govt's 'biggest attempt to change country for the better'

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will today unveil what his ruling party calls the people's agenda for 2011 - a mixture of populist and social-welfare measures - which will be implemented over the next 12 months.

"It will be our biggest-ever effort to change the country for the better, especially in terms of reducing discrepancies and injustice in our society, while offering a wider social safety net and new opportunities to the people to realise their full potential," said Buranaj Smutharaks, the Democrat Party spokesman.

The message sounds like the ruling party is set to call a general election any time before Parliament completes its term late this year.

Prime Minister Abhisit was earlier expected to dissolve Parliament around March this year for the new polls to take place some time in April.

welfare package

Last Friday, a Government House source disclosed that the latest populist-cum-social welfare package would cost Bt17 billion and is aimed at 5.1 million mothers and children, workers in the informal economy, disabled persons and virtually all low-income earners nationwide.

Buranaj said all these measures will be implemented until the country holds the next polls. They will feature prominently in the upcoming election campaign launched by the party and its coalition partners in a bid for re-election.

Among the measures are:

Workers in the informal economy such as motorcycle taxis, street-side vendors and taxicabs could be soon entitled to benefits under the social security system.

They will also be granted loans from state-owned banks such as Government Savings Bank. Motorcycle taxis will be legalised to close a loophole so that police and state officials could no longer ask for bribes. Street-side vendors in selected areas of Bangkok will be granted the right to do their trade legally.

To reduce the burden of the cost of living on low-income earners, the government will cap diesel price at Bt30 per litre; extend free electricity to those using 90 or less units per month; reduce the production cost of food industry, and enforce the anti-monopoly law.

Buranaj said another set of measures will provide welfare to mothers, children, and self-employed workers nationwide.

First, there will be child development centres in every subdistrict by the year-end for children aged 3-5.

Second, the social security law will be amended to allow more workers to join so that they can benefit from the social safety net.

On education, Buranaj said the agenda is to expand formal school and vocational training opportunities so that the country has competent human resources for a brighter future. Disabled children will also be covered by the new measures.

Regarding the justice process, he said the government will set up a community justice centre at every subdistrict nationwide to help educate villagers and improve the justice mechanism, while increasing the use of social media at local and national levels to reduce inequalities.

"We'll execute these policies along with the [Pracha Wiwat] measures towards the end of this administration's term. They will be our platform in the election campaign so that voters will be reassured that these policies would be continued," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

[asiawatcher]

The welfare package will be welcomed amongst the poorer populace and as long as they don't ever give anyone unemployment as then they will all sit on their asses and allow the rest of us to pay them to do nothing as in the rest of the western world and we can see where that leads.

[Pib]

These populist and social-warfare measures, many of which are long overdue, sure beats handing out eggs for votes.

[jayjay0]

All very noble goals.

The one that jumped out to me was

""It will be our biggest-ever effort to change the country for the better, especially in terms of reducing discrepancies and injustice in our society, while offering a wider social safety net and new opportunities to the people to realise their full potential," said Buranaj Smutharaks, the Democrat Party spokesman."

Some times people never reach there full potential if it is made to easy for them.

I realize it is a small item in the over all plan that will effect very few if it is implemented. But those are the type more likley to bring change.

Let us hope the Government is given a chance to implement these changes and carry through on them. Time will tell.

[whybother]

Govt to reduce crimes by 20 per cent in 6 months

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday promised that his government will reduce crimes by 20 per cent in six months.

He said the government will install more security camera in remote spots and increase police patrols in such areas to prevent crimes.

The measure is part of the people's agenda for 2011 announced at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Sunday.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

(From the daily thread).

Increasing police patrols is likely to increase crimes, isn't it?

[Pib]

Govt to reduce crimes by 20 per cent in 6 months

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday promised that his government will reduce crimes by 20 per cent in six months.

He said the government will install more security camera in remote spots and increase police patrols in such areas to prevent crimes.

The measure is part of the people's agenda for 2011 announced at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Sunday.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

(From the daily thread).

Increasing police patrols is likely to increase crimes, isn't it?

Only during the day as most police knock off work around 3:30pm

[webfact]

PM Abhisit details '9 New Year gifts'

Follow this link:

[Colabamumbai]

Lets do hope that the measures take fruit and add to the "well being" of Thailand and its people. We are positive.