Pay Rises Among Thai Govt's First-Year Priorities

[webfact]

Pay rises among govt's first-year priorities

By THE NATION

The Bt300 minimum daily wage and Bt15,000 starting salary for university graduates as well as charter amendments are some of the "urgent" policies that the government is determined to kick off within one year.

"In light of the global economic volatility, my government will put more emphasis on the domestic economy than exports," Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

The Cabinet at its first regular meeting has approved the government's policy statement to be delivered for debate in Parliament next week, she said.

In revitalising the economy, the government will focus on increasing individual incomes and reducing household expenses, she said.

The government will outline the steps to boost the economy when it presents the Budget Bill next month.

According to the draft policies, wages and salaries will be hiked in line with productivity improvements. Businesses will be eligible for government assistance to cope with higher labour costs.

The government plans to raise the standard of living by suspending debt payments for three years by small farmers and low-income earners with less than Bt500,000 in debt. It will restructure the debts of those who owe more than that.

The elderly will receive a monthly stipend based on their age, such as Bt600 for those 60-69 and Bt1,000 for citizens over 90.

Tax benefits would help people purchase their first home or car.

The rest of the 16 issues on the priority agenda are as follows:

- Achieve national reconciliation and democratic revival by fostering a common understanding among citizens so it leads to unity. The new government says it will adhere to the democratic system with His Majesty the King as head of state and is ready to support the Truth for Reconciliation Commission to work independently and enable it to discover the truth behind the political violence. Compensation and rehabilitation will be provided for deaths and injuries during the civil strife in April and May last year.

- Crack down on drug traffickers, influential figures, vice and other social ills. Provide rehabilitation that can turn former addicts into quality people so they can return to society.

- Prevent and suppress corruption in the public sector by improving laws to prevent conflicts of interest, covering all important government authorities and high-ranking officials.

- Restore peace in the deep South by injecting resources and introducing a wide-ranging and holistic administration in line with the King's guidance to ensure understanding, accessibility and development that is in sync with the diversity of identities and religions in each area, and ensure equal justice for all.

- Restore good relations with neighbouring countries, based on international treaties and related laws, as well as ease border tension through diplomatic means. Promote regional economic development.

- Address people's economic problems caused by inflation, particularly for fuel. Delay collecting contributions to the Oil Fund for some particular kinds of fuel to reduce fuel prices immediately. Restructure the whole fuel-pricing system so that it reflects real energy costs. Provide fuel credit cards for taxi drivers and mass-transport service providers.

- Solve the high cost of living and high consumer-product prices as well as stop direct and indirect monopolies.

- Cut the corporate income tax to 23 per cent in 2012 and 20 per cent in 2013 to enhance competitiveness and expand the tax-collection base as the country prepares for the Asean Economic Community by 2015.

- Strengthen the product management of handicrafts and community products to promote uniqueness and local production, including the One Tambon One Product scheme. Make it sustainable through the use of local wisdom and resources in combination with modern practices in order to raise quality standards, prices and management skills. Set up product distribution and exhibition centres in the region, linked with exporters and tourist spots.

- Improve the quality of agricultural produce and help farmers access capital. Rely on the market mechanism to ensure price stability for agricultural goods and fair prices for farmers. Adopt the agricultural-product pledging scheme to provide a stable income to farmers. Issue credit cards to farmers, and launch futures trading of agricultural commodities.

- Promote integrated water management as well as expedite the expansion of irrigated areas.

- Promote domestic and inbound tourism by designating 2011 and 2012 as "Miracle Thailand" Years. Encourage foreign visitors to join the special celebrations hosted in honour of His Majesty the King during those years.

- Improve the Bt30 medical system and integrated healthcare system by enhancing information technology. Reduce health risks that lead to chronic diseases and accidents.

- Allocate tablet computers to students, starting with first-graders in the 2012 school year, and develop suitable curriculum content for them. Provide free Wi-Fi spots in public areas and at educational institutions.

- Introduce and facilitate political reform so that it is widely participatory. Set up a constitution-drafting council as an independent body to draft a new charter that introduces the exercise of democratic power under the principle of the rule of law and accountability. Hold a national referendum to decide on the fate of the draft.

-- The Nation 2011-08-17

[Soutpeel]

"Crack down on drug traffickers, influential figures, vice and other social ills."

I wonder if she is including her brother in this group ?.....

My other favourite

Prevent and suppress corruption in the public sector by improving laws to prevent conflicts of interest, covering all important government authorities and high-ranking officials.

Seems rather ironic seeing as her brother will be off brokering and Oil & Gas deal with Cambodia, and seeing as he is in effect running the goverment by proxy....why does the term conflict of interest pop into my head...

Seems to be they had forgot a few items at the top of their priorites agenda, she forgot to include....

1. Get mt brother a new passport

2. Get all my familes cash returned

3. Get my brother amnesty

4. Bring my brother home

5. Appoint my brother as "trade ambassador"

6. Broker Oil and gas deal with Cambodia, so we can fill our pockets even more...(see 5.)

[siampolee]

Prevent and suppress corruption in the public sector by improving laws to prevent conflicts of interest, covering all important government authorities and high-ranking officials.

I presume the mooted re-writing, re-drafting of the Constitution is exempt from these new proposed laws.

Thus enabling the iron grip of a vested interest family to continue their feeding off of Thailand and the Thai people to bloat yet further their ,''ample rich bank accounts?

[whybother]

- Improve the Bt30 medical system and integrated healthcare system by enhancing information technology. Reduce health risks that lead to chronic diseases and accidents.

I thought the 30 baht medical system was changed to the free medical system. It seems PTP are a bit behind the times.

[Ricardo]

wages and salaries will be hiked in line with productivity-improvements

While I would agree that productivity-improvements will be necessary, to help pay for a general wage-increase, that promise seems to be a long-way-short of the immediate & universal guaranteed 300B/day national minimum-wage, which the people who voted PTP were expecting.

[Bakseedaa]

Will the 300 bahts per day be backdated to the election date..? Hurry up and pay peoples ASAP Yinluck.. you promised them..!

[whybother]

wages and salaries will be hiked in line with productivity-improvements

While I would agree that productivity-improvements will be necessary, to help pay for a general wage-increase, that promise seems to be a long-way-short of the immediate & universal guaranteed 300B/day national minimum-wage, which the people who voted PTP were expecting.

So that's the way out. They can only get the 300 baht if they work twice as hard.

[hammered]

Populism that is going to have massive backing at the same time as controversial ammendments. A well played game of chess here. Any attempt to derail the government while it is planning to hand out so much to so many is going to end in tears, and the only way to stop the ammendments is probably to derail the government as the other bunch likely have no faith in their ability to convince the electorate of anything after so many defeats

[DP25]

- Improve the Bt30 medical system and integrated healthcare system by enhancing information technology. Reduce health risks that lead to chronic diseases and accidents.

I thought the 30 baht medical system was changed to the free medical system. It seems PTP are a bit behind the times.

They are bringing back the 30 baht fee

[whybother]

- Improve the Bt30 medical system and integrated healthcare system by enhancing information technology. Reduce health risks that lead to chronic diseases and accidents.

I thought the 30 baht medical system was changed to the free medical system. It seems PTP are a bit behind the times.

They are bringing back the 30 baht fee

That's a "great" improvement already.

[DP25]

- Improve the Bt30 medical system and integrated healthcare system by enhancing information technology. Reduce health risks that lead to chronic diseases and accidents.

I thought the 30 baht medical system was changed to the free medical system. It seems PTP are a bit behind the times.

They are bringing back the 30 baht fee

That's a "great" improvement already.

The 30 baht health care is associated with Thaksin in the mind's of their north eastern base. They don't want to allow an improvement associated with Abhisit to exist. In their propaganda they can claim that Abhisit abolished the 30 baht health care (because he hates poor people, won't mention it was made free) and the new Yingluck government brought it back

[Ricardo]

While I would agree that productivity-improvements will be necessary, to help pay for a general wage-increase, that promise seems to be a long-way-short of the immediate & universal guaranteed 300B/day national minimum-wage, which the people who voted PTP were expecting.

So that's the way out. They can only get the 300 baht if they work twice as hard.

And only half of them will still be able to earn it, as the others will have been fired, no longer needed.

I thought the 30 baht medical system was changed to the free medical system. It seems PTP are a bit behind the times.

They are bringing back the 30 baht fee

Seems a strange way to help the poor, to start charging again, for something which was free for the past few years !

But since "all Thais will be rich", in a little over four months' time now, I guess they no-longer need free hospitals or electricity, do they ?

Edited August 17, 2011 by Ricardo

[samurai]

That's a "great" improvement already.

The 30 baht health care is associated with Thaksin in the mind's of their north eastern base. They don't want to allow an improvement associated with Abhisit to exist. In their propaganda they can claim that Abhisit abolished the 30 baht health care (because he hates poor people, won't mention it was made free) and the new Yingluck government brought it back

The 30 baht makes sense, it can prevent that everyone who feels bored visits the doc without having actually some real health problem.

Where was the big "improvement" to turn the already existing 30 baht scheme into a total free one, if it wasn't more than a poor mindless attempt to copy and topple Thaksin populist policy?

And in the end, its something the people voted for. They had the choice to elect Abhisit "again". But they didn't. Must have reason.

Edited August 17, 2011 by samurai

[hammered]

That's a "great" improvement already.

The 30 baht health care is associated with Thaksin in the mind's of their north eastern base. They don't want to allow an improvement associated with Abhisit to exist. In their propaganda they can claim that Abhisit abolished the 30 baht health care (because he hates poor people, won't mention it was made free) and the new Yingluck government brought it back

The 30 baht makes sense, it can prevent that everyone who feels bored visits the doc without having actually some real health problem.

Where was the big "improvement" to turn the already existing 30 baht scheme into a total free one, if it wasn't more than a poor mindless attempt to copy and topple Thaksin populist policy?

The claim was that the system of administration required to collect and record the 30-baht cost more than all the 30 bahts collected. I dont know if any evidence of this was ever shown, or it was just a claim that had to be believed because of who had said it, or it was just a media spun "old wives tale".

[samurai]

That's a "great" improvement already.

The 30 baht health care is associated with Thaksin in the mind's of their north eastern base. They don't want to allow an improvement associated with Abhisit to exist. In their propaganda they can claim that Abhisit abolished the 30 baht health care (because he hates poor people, won't mention it was made free) and the new Yingluck government brought it back

The 30 baht makes sense, it can prevent that everyone who feels bored visits the doc without having actually some real health problem.

Where was the big "improvement" to turn the already existing 30 baht scheme into a total free one, if it wasn't more than a poor mindless attempt to copy and topple Thaksin populist policy?

The claim was that the system of administration required to collect and record the 30-baht cost more than all the 30 bahts collected. I dont know if any evidence of this was ever shown, or it was just a claim that had to be believed because of who had said it, or it was just a media spun "old wives tale".

I don't believe that claim that collection 30 baht would be that expensive. I think that theory was born by some of the old armchair aunties at TVF.

Even then it would makes sense to collect the 30 baht. That could have also a psychological placebo kindalike effect.

Something you paid for would help you more than something you got totally for free.

[Crushdepth]

They will spend more than 30 baht collecting it.

[Emptyset]

The 30 baht health care is associated with Thaksin in the mind's of their north eastern base. They don't want to allow an improvement associated with Abhisit to exist. In their propaganda they can claim that Abhisit abolished the 30 baht health care (because he hates poor people, won't mention it was made free) and the new Yingluck government brought it back

The reasoning behind it is that people won't go to the doctor and waste his time with things like the common cold, if they have to pay 30 baht. Also, the government wants the patients to be treated as paying customers, not freeloaders (because apparently now there's a big difference in the way free patients and paying are treated, I doubt this will be much different with the 30 baht fee back though). Anyway, I don't agree... the only proper thing to do is increase funding so that the quality of free care is so good that few people will turn to private except for plastic surgery and that kind of thing. Then richer people will start to believe in free healthcare for all, and you can increase their taxes to pay for it with fewer complaints...

[siampolee]

Give the care workers their salary raise they are front line personnel in our hour(s) of need. Other sectors can wait.

Just as a matter of interest, how many of we posters on T.V. have been able to personally avail ourselves of both the 30 baht scheme or the free scheme ?

Perhaps the ''experts'' are making comments concerning matters they know little or in truth nothing about.

My wife and our children have used both systems and they weren't treated too badly from what was said.and what I saw under either system.

Possibly it may depend on the local hospital area Our government hospital, where all the boys were born and have had to go back for treatment for the occasional mishap, broken arm, broken wrist, foreign objects in ear (boys will be boys) has always provided a service that has been first class, that service free or paid spans a 17 year time period too.

Edited August 17, 2011 by siampolee

[YellowFeverCAD]

I don't believe that claim that collection 30 baht would be that expensive. I think that theory was born by some of the old armchair aunties at TVF.

Even then it would makes sense to collect the 30 baht. That could have also a psychological placebo kindalike effect.

Something you paid for would help you more than something you got totally for free.

Then you have no idea of the infrastructure involved in running a business and it's administration.

something you paid for would help you more than something you got for free??? Really???

Lord... can I get some of what you are on?

[Crushdepth]

Well at least tourism, agriculture and reducing insane risk-taking got a mention. Good stuff! God knows what they'll actually do about it but good luck.

[ginjag]

I don't believe that claim that collection 30 baht would be that expensive. I think that theory was born by some of the old armchair aunties at TVF.

Even then it would makes sense to collect the 30 baht. That could have also a psychological placebo kindalike effect.

Something you paid for would help you more than something you got totally for free.

Then you have no idea of the infrastructure involved in running a business and it's administration.

something you paid for would help you more than something you got for free??? Really???

Lord... can I get some of what you are on?

there's got to be a cure - surely.. on the other hand who wants some of it if it makes you like that.

it's about time the people were made to visit the head village clinic to be treated, and save the town hospitals from being stretched to the limit. If the patient was that bad then the nurse /doctor at the village would refer them on.

There are too many Thais going to town hospitals for silly treatment--the locals say the nurses are better at the hospital, and they can ask there what they want ??? this is the mentality--yes Thais believe in rural areas that if they can get an injection they will feel better.

[Crushdepth]

Anyone know if this 'policy' is going to be turned into actual law?

[rubl]

The 30 baht health care is associated with Thaksin in the mind's of their north eastern base. They don't want to allow an improvement associated with Abhisit to exist. In their propaganda they can claim that Abhisit abolished the 30 baht health care (because he hates poor people, won't mention it was made free) and the new Yingluck government brought it back

The 30 baht makes sense, it can prevent that everyone who feels bored visits the doc without having actually some real health problem.

Where was the big "improvement" to turn the already existing 30 baht scheme into a total free one, if it wasn't more than a poor mindless attempt to copy and topple Thaksin populist policy?

The claim was that the system of administration required to collect and record the 30-baht cost more than all the 30 bahts collected. I dont know if any evidence of this was ever shown, or it was just a claim that had to be believed because of who had said it, or it was just a media spun "old wives tale".

I don't believe that claim that collection 30 baht would be that expensive. I think that theory was born by some of the old armchair aunties at TVF.

Even then it would makes sense to collect the 30 baht. That could have also a psychological placebo kindalike effect.

Something you paid for would help you more than something you got totally for free.

What to believe, what to believe. One thing seems sure, whatever you want to believe, probably not a member who just writes before engaging his brain.

July 2007

"Universal Coverage In The Land Of Smiles: Lessons From Thailand’s 30 Baht Health Reforms

David Hughes and Songkramchai Leethongdee"

http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/4/999.full

[rubl]

OP: The Bt300 minimum daily wage and Bt15,000 starting salary for university graduates as well as charter amendments are some of the "urgent" policies that the government is determined to kick off within one year.

Don't know if this breaking news was from just before or just after the OP

BREAKINGNEWS

Labour minister decline to be specific on Bt300 wage timeframe

Published on August 17, 2011

Preparations are ongoing for the government's plan to honour the Pheu Thai Party's election policy of raising the daily minimum wage to Bt300, according to Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap.

However, he refused to give any timeframe about when the pay raise can really take place.

On his first day at the Labour Ministry, Padermchai Wednesday said, "I cannot say whether it will happen in six months or in one year. I cannot be specific".

He only said some works had been going on to prepare for the implementation.

-- The Nation 2011-08-17]

[henryalleman]

many people write about healthcare but this is much more important

The government plans to raise the standard of living by suspending debt payments for three years by small farmers and low-income earners with less than Bt500,000 in debt. It will restructure the debts of those who owe more than that.

Is the intrest meter stop ticking also?

Otherwise they will be in bigger debt than they are today.

And if the meter is stop ticking. What about the banks who lent the money?

How they going to recuperate their losses.

.

When I read all of the new Thai government plans, they are going to ruin the country.

Oh I forgot this is not a Thai government, but a Shinawatra government(just look to all the cabinetposts) and the ministers signed their letter of resignation already, otherwise they could not be appointed. In this way all the ministers are just puppets on a string, listen to your masters voice or get out. One of the reasons why some refuses to be in it.

And 3 years is enough to get all ther billions back and steal some more. They know very well this is their last change, so they should take the oppertunity to do so.

Edited August 17, 2011 by henryalleman

[Colin Yai]

Prevent and suppress corruption in the public sector by improving laws to prevent conflicts of interest, covering all important government authorities and high-ranking officials.

I presume the mooted re-writing, re-drafting of the Constitution is exempt from these new proposed laws.

Thus enabling the iron grip of a vested interest family to continue their feeding off of Thailand and the Thai people to bloat yet further their ,''ample rich bank accounts?

I often wonder why these up here in Issan cannot see through Thaksin and his cronies cos everything they do is for one reason only ,lineing their pockets with even more of the Country's wealth.

[siampolee]

[/url]

henryalleman

Oh I forgot this is not a Thai government, but a Shinawatra government(just look to all the cabinetposts) and the ministers signed their letter of resignation already, otherwise they could not be appointed. In this way all the ministers are just puppets on a string, listen to your masters voice or get out. One of the reasons why some refuses to be in it.

Never have I seen a such a truthful statement as this.

The interesting fact is that as an aid to the less erudite of some of the posters in T.V. the comment is written in nice easy English so as to enlighten those posters as to the true agenda and the true administration of Thailand at this moment in time.

[jackr]

- Crack down on drug traffickers, influential figures, vice and other social ills.

Might be an idea to sack the entire police force for starters.

While I would agree that productivity-improvements will be necessary, to help pay for a general wage-increase, that promise seems to be a long-way-short of the immediate & universal guaranteed 300B/day national minimum-wage, which the people who voted PTP were expecting.

Won't it be ironic if the reds take to the streets if this doesn't transpire.

[Ricardo]

- Crack down on drug traffickers, influential figures, vice and other social ills.

Might be an idea to sack the entire police force for starters.

While I would agree that productivity-improvements will be necessary, to help pay for a general wage-increase, that promise seems to be a long-way-short of the immediate & universal guaranteed 300B/day national minimum-wage, which the people who voted PTP were expecting.

Won't it be ironic if the reds take to the streets if this doesn't transpire.

It would indeed, but with many of their leaders now sitting as MPs, and the rumoured letters-of-resignation signed beforehand, is it likely that they would call the membership out ?

And surely the flow-of-funds from offshore is being cut-back, now that their work is done, leaving just enough to keep UDD going as a credible-threat if-required.

Never mind, all Thais will be rich in just-over 4 months' time, and the poor can trust Thaksin & PTP to keep their promises, can't they ?

[Thaddeus]

- Crack down on drug traffickers, influential figures, vice and other social ills.

Might be an idea to sack the entire police force for starters.

While I would agree that productivity-improvements will be necessary, to help pay for a general wage-increase, that promise seems to be a long-way-short of the immediate & universal guaranteed 300B/day national minimum-wage, which the people who voted PTP were expecting.

Won't it be ironic if the reds take to the streets if this doesn't transpire.

Most Thais I know don't understand irony, they are quite good at sporadic acts of wanton revenge though.