Finance Ministry mulls increasing old-age subsidy from 600 to 1,200-1,500 baht a month

[snoop1130]

Finance Ministry mulls increasing old-age subsidy from 600 to 1,200-1,500 baht a month

 

 

The Finance Ministry is pondering increasing monthly subsidy for over 60 elderly people from 600 baht to 1,200-1,500 baht and to set up an old age fund with sin taxes from liquor, beer and tobacco, Mr Krisda Jinavijarana, director of Fiscal Policy Office, disclosed on Thursday.

 

He said that there are 10 million people who are over 60 years old and, of these, eight million of them have received monthly subsidy amounting to 600-1,000 baht from the government.

 

Among the eight million recipients of old-age subsidy, 3.5 million of them are low-income earners and the subsidy they have been receiving each month from the government is hardly enough for them to make a humble living, said Mr Krisda.

 

A recent study commissioned by the Finance Ministry shows that elderly people should receive at least 1,200-1,500 baht a month to make a living. But since the government cannot afford such an amount of subsidy for all the elderly people, it expects those who are better off to waive the subsidy so that their subsidy can be shared out to those who are poorer.

 

Full Story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/finance-ministry-mulls-increasing-old-age-subsidy-600-1200-1500-baht-month/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-1-26

[Artisi]

Why not, if multi billion Baht subs that are useless to Thailand can be afforded , then an increase in old-age subsidies shouldn't break the bank. 

[Wilsonandson]

Sin taxes from liquor, beer and tobacco. No tax on prostitution because that's "illegal". I thought Thai culture was big on looking after the old. On the sky train home today I saw 2 elderly people stand up and give their seat to teenage school children. Also seems strange that there is no holiday in Thailand to celebrate the old. I just hope I have family to support me when I can't work anymore. It's a tough world out there.

[Brer Fox]

Thailand is the new Asian hub for mulling. A mulling committee has been formed and it looks like the SIN taxes are just about to go up to pay for pension increases. Expect to pay more for your liquor, beer and tobacco. Tax on Lao Khao is expected to remain the same to keep the locals boys happy and discourage civil unrest.

[doremifasol]

 

.......... at least 1,200-1,500 baht a month to make a living

 

Yeah.........but only if you eat Mama twice a day......

[Artisi]

34 minutes ago, Wilsonandson said:

Sin taxes from liquor, beer and tobacco. No tax on prostitution because that's "illegal". I thought Thai culture was big on looking after the old. On the sky train home today I saw 2 elderly people stand up and give their seat to teenage school children. Also seems strange that there is no holiday in Thailand to celebrate the old. I just hope I have family to support me when I can't work anymore. It's a tough world out there.

Nothing new about people , including the elderly, giving up their train / bus etc seat to kids, if it were my kid and I was there I'd box his ears if he accepted, but actually he wouldn't accept.

However, if it were a really crowded train and the kid was quite young - it is probably a reasonable gesture but you would think a younger adult not an elderly person would do it. 

[Dah fahrang]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

But since the government cannot afford such an amount of subsidy for all the elderly people, it expects those who are better off to waive the subsidy so that their subsidy can be shared out to those who are poorer.

Orders for submarines? New tanks? Propaganda extravaganza?  "government" - small "g" intentional -  can't afford to pay this pittance to the elderly? My missus won't be waiving her subsidy - although she'd like to wave her second digit in the face of these clowns.

[Lupatria]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

eight million of them have received monthly subsidy amounting to 600-1,000 baht from the government.

The government expects, the elsewhere favorable practice to delay payments for 8 month, will cut the number of recipients in half.