The art and science of helping Thailand’s poorest
By SPECIAL TO THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- BY NOW the Prayut Chan-o-cha government should have finished its task of transferring Bt3,000 cash to each targeted poor or low-income person in the non-farm sector who earns less than Bt30,000 a year, and Bt1,500 cash to those with annual income not exceeding Bt100,000. Combined with an earlier programme under which the poor in the farm sector were given similar cash assistance, the number of poor.

 

There are many ways in which poor people in any country can be given economic assistance by the government, and this kind of direct cash transfer is one of them. The role of the government in this respect can range from minimalist, where the government does nothing to help the poor and lets the market decide, to maximalist, where the government “owns” the poor and protects them from falling into any economic hardship. 

 

In the real world, however, governments adopt wide-ranging policies that cover a broad spectrum of the above two extremes. Sound macroeconomic management may be carried out to ensure that the highest economic growth is attained through economic efficiency and stability. Certain sectoral policies are selected to counter inadequacies in a sector that hinders growth and development. When these two policies are unable to adequately help the poor, some social protection or social safety nets may be called for. It is to this social protection department that direct cash transfer belongs.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/EconomyAndTourism/30305212

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-30

One time bit of cash is good, but not good enough. Economic growth and societal change benefiting the masses is needed, not just benefit to the Elite.

Free health care, small business loans, student grants, the minimum wage increased, state pensions, disability benefit, trade unions, workers rights, family allowance, welfare for the unemployed, free housing, etc .....

A handout of 3,000 baht is going to last one trip to the local market. A big feast and a box full of chang. Great help for 1 day of the year.

The sums of money talked about are so vast I don't think the poorest could handle it. I bet someone earning £600 a year would spent the £60 in no time. Probably waste it all on food and water.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

where the government “owns” the poor and protects them from falling into any economic hardship. 

Forget about just owning the poor by the time the government gets done with the constitution fiddling and the new media bill they will own us all body and soul. 

6 hours ago, berybert said:

The sums of money talked about are so vast I don't think the poorest could handle it. I bet someone earning £600 a year would spent the £60 in no time. Probably waste it all on food and water.

Sounds like Ben Bernanke landed his helicopter here. 

Art and science of helping the poor. These sterile words have now replaced compassionate means I guess. Why is everything boiled down to an art or science today. Has hugging our fellow man now fallen into this sterile category??

How long has the Western world established social policies/programs to assist the poor?  How many poor STILL reside in the Western world?  How many millions/billions of dollars have been handed out to other poor states?  They're still poor.  Guess Thailand is indeed coming along with its hand out program(s) to the poor.  Unfortunately, tomorrow there will still be poor people.