A voucher system is the best way to help. Make it clear the voucher cannot buy alcohol or cigarettes, only baby formula, nappies and baby clothes.

Raise the minimum wage and enforce it everywhere.

80% of the population work 'of the books'.

How would an increased minimum wage help anyone?

My gf earns 100-150bht for a 10-12 hour day.

Entirely normal in CM.

Doing what kind of job?

I have a hard time finding workers for 300 baht per day in chiang mai.

What a wonderful initiative.

600 baht means nothing to most westerners, but having seen kids of rice farmers (yes the rice farmers are still poor) go to school in Soi Dao, Chanthaburi wearing ripped shorts and shirts with buttons missing it means the world to the poor.

Usually money is offered to the poor when an election is forthcoming. What a refreshing change to see social security measures being introduced especially when there is no sign of an election.

What a wonderful populist scheme. Ultimately the Generals are only doing this to combat the success of Thaksin in winning over the poor; so in reality your cheering on yet another Shinawatra success for the poor of Thailand.

What a wonderful initiative.

600 baht means nothing to most westerners, but having seen kids of rice farmers (yes the rice farmers are still poor) go to school in Soi Dao, Chanthaburi wearing ripped shorts and shirts with buttons missing it means the world to the poor.

Usually money is offered to the poor when an election is forthcoming. What a refreshing change to see social security measures being introduced especially when there is no sign of an election.

What a wonderful populist scheme. Ultimately the Generals are only doing this to combat the success of Thaksin in winning over the poor; so in reality your cheering on yet another Shinawatra success for the poor of Thailand.

So anything that anyone does to help the poor in future will be a Shinawatra success! Fool.

The difference is they are trying to get the money to the poor rather than the various middle men/lackeys.