Kalasin: Probe launched into old-age allowance scam

[webfact]

Probe launched into old-age allowance scam
JAKKAPONG RAWIWAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE NAMES of elderly people entitled to the old-age allowance were found to have been repeated in several villages in Kalasin's Muang district, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into withdrawals made over the past six months.

Tambon Huai Pho Municipality initially admitted to the name repetitions, but said they stemmed from typing errors and insisted that the actual payments were made correctly.

The move follows a call from elderly people as well as some disabled people and those living with HIV demanding that the Tambon Huai Pho Municipality pay their overdue allowances.

This led to the provincial governor issuing an instruction for the municipality to borrow from an Bt8-million reserve fund to pay the 1,742 affected people. However, the money was withdrawn from the fund without any documentation or the governor's written authorisation and the payments were hastily made on October 18.

Some villagers also claimed that allowances were still being paid to people who had died.

Kalasin Local Administration Office chief Songkran Maiyawong said a committee had been set up to investigate facts, especially the delays in allowance payments, payments made in the name of deceased people, and the withdrawal from the reserve fund. Investigation should be completed before November 10, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Probe-launched-into-old-age-allowance-scam-30246149.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-24

[noitom]

Does anyone know the amounts that older Thais are receiving as part of this old age allowance policy? What is the policy in brief?

[ramrod711]

Does anyone know the amounts that older Thais are receiving as part of this old age allowance policy? What is the policy in brief?

I can tell you that in the village where I live, it is 500 baht per month. There is a deaf woman in our village who had a daughter that was blind, the daughter is now deceased. They were receiving 500 baht each but only once every three months.

[NamKAheng]

Kalasin Local Administration Office chief Songkran Maiyawong said a committee had been set up to investigate facts, especially the delays in allowance payments, payments made in the name of deceased people, and the withdrawal from the reserve fund. Investigation should be completed before November 10, he said.

That is a good way to get out of it, investigate yourself!

[aussieinthailand]

Between 500 - 700 baht per month depending on your age.

[chainarong]

It is good to see all those checks and balances in action , in this instance nothing would have been done if the recipients of the scheme hadn't complained , reforms are needed in all area's of Thai society, not only in the political arena.

[AGareth2]

well we know they believe in ghosts

[johnopolo]

well we know they believe in ghosts

Indeed. They should only believe in one ghost: The Holy Ghost. The rest of their ghosts should be demoted to angels ....

[Valentine]

The corruption is never ending & seems like so many just have no conscience at all. Sometimes I wonder if the whole moral fabric of society has no chance to recover but then occasionally come across people who help out purely out of a genuine desire to help.

[SOTIRIOS]

.... is this a remnant of the you-know-who government.....???

....

[Artisi]

well we know they believe in ghosts

Indeed. They should only believe in one ghost: The Holy Ghost. The rest of their ghosts should be demoted to angels ....

The ghost buster's will sort that cr_ap nonsense out for you.

[bassman]

"Kalasin Local Administration Office chief Songkran Maiyawong said a committee had been set up to investigate facts, especially the delays in allowance payments, payments made in the name of deceased people, and the withdrawal from the reserve fund. Investigation should be completed before November 10, he said."

Can't wait till November 11 (what year not sure) to see the headlines. A bunch of old, poor and ripped off people pointing to a group of fat, rich and uniformed officials with a stack of baht in their hands. Hopefully they will also film and release the reenactment of the crime.

[JOC]

Stealing from the most vulnerable!! What an absolute disgrace!!

A society is judged by how it treats its weakest member!!

[worgeordie]

Is there nothing here that is not touched by the greedy hand of corruption,

school milk,school books, uniforms,now pensioners or should i say phantom

pensioners,its a disgrace,and you can bet that Kalasin is not alone is this.

regards Worgeordie

[fab4]

.... is this a remnant of the you-know-who government.....???

....

Yes I'm afraid it is, the Pension Scheme was completely revamped by the government of Chaun Leekpai, you know, the Democrat Party PM..................

[johnopolo]

And someone on another topic had the audacity to tell posters to stop Thai bashing. This is why, sunshine, they even rip of their own elderly. Disgusting, pitiful excuses for human beings.

Pray tell, which crime and corruption free country do you hail from?

[BirdsandBooze]

And someone on another topic had the audacity to tell posters to stop Thai bashing. This is why, sunshine, they even rip of their own elderly. Disgusting, pitiful excuses for human beings.

Pray tell, which crime and corruption free country do you hail from?

In the UK the elderly frequently fall victim to scammers including pikey builders pretending that their home is in need of repair to care assistants persuading them to change their will. I`m afraid the elderly are vulnerable to lowlife in most countries.

[Thai at Heart]

Thainess.

Stealing 500 baht fromt the elderly. Priceless

[MobileContent]

I am afraid Kalasin is not the only one province where money might vanishes that was allocated for the elderly.

The elderly in our village get every month paid. My lassie often brings a young disabled woman to the market or in town and she is always happy when the money arrives. Her parents too get 600 Baht each so they live on 1700 Baht plus. 600/600 + 500.

[colin2]

Does anyone know the amounts that older Thais are receiving as part of this old age allowance policy? What is the policy in brief?

I can tell you that in the village where I live, it is 500 baht per month. There is a deaf woman in our village who had a daughter that was blind, the daughter is now deceased. They were receiving 500 baht each but only once every three months.

Has anyone told the deaf woman that her blind daughter is deceased ? Probably not, and that is why she is still claiming for both of them.

[weegee]

Gawd...imagine if they brought in the dole here....the country would be broke in 3 months..

Sad to see it going on here, and to Older people....This generation(the world over) have never been taught respect.

[ramrod711]

Does anyone know the amounts that older Thais are receiving as part of this old age allowance policy? What is the policy in brief?

I can tell you that in the village where I live, it is 500 baht per month. There is a deaf woman in our village who had a daughter that was blind, the daughter is now deceased. They were receiving 500 baht each but only once every three months.

Has anyone told the deaf woman that her blind daughter is deceased ? Probably not, and that is why she is still claiming for both of them.

I suppose that was a joke, I think that she would notice that her daughter was dead. The daughter was not born blind, she became blind when her father tried to kill her with insecticide. She had many other health issues as a result of the poisoning. My wife and I were giving them 500 baht per month to help out, and still do. Other people in the village help out with food and some of my friends have helped out with bedding, appliances and one was buying a new refrigerator and gave the lady his old one. I'm not certain if she receives both pensions or not, the local officials would definitely be aware of the daughters death, so maybe not. In any case it would still be only one thousand baht per month, could you get by on that?