15 million expected to register as low-income earners for benefits

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15 million expected to register as low-income earners for benefits
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- WHILE the government has predicted bright economic prospects this year, as many as 15 million people are expected to register as low-income earners to obtain assistance in the second round of registration that opens today – almost double the number of people enrolled late last year.

 

The increase was anticipated as people failed to register in the first round due to a lack of awareness about the potential benefits, said Krisada Chinavicharana, director of the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO).

 

However, enrolees could expect more stringent criteria and some might not be qualified to receive help from the government, Krisada said. 

 

“In the previous round, we only laid out loose criteria. As a result, some of the enrolees received benefits they didn’t deserve,” Krisada said. “Some had expensive homes, for example. So, this time we will lay down more clear specifications to ensure the rich cannot get into the scheme.” 

 

People who are eligible this round must be Thai citizens, 18 years old or older, and unemployed or have earned less than Bt 100,000 in 2016. 

 

They must not own any assets worth more than Bt100,000, or own a house on land larger than 25 square wa (100 square metres), a condominium larger than 35 square metres or land larger than one rai (0.16 hectares). Farmers cannot have more than 10 rai of land.

 

Eligible enrolees must register in the second round regardless of whether they registered in the first round late last year, with authorities urging people to re-register to ensure their data profile was up to date.

 

Registration will be open until May 15 at branches of Krungthai Bank, the Government Savings Bank and the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Bank as well as at provincial comptroller offices and Bangkok district offices.

 

Eligible people will receive an ID card after registering, which will confer benefits such as waivers or discounts for water and electricity utilities charges, transport fees, and rent as well as a government subsidy and cheap accident insurance.

 

Residents in urban and the rural areas will receive different benefits based on the scheme, Krisada said, adding that people in urban areas could enjoy discounts on transportation fees while people in the rural areas would get different privileges of the same value.

 

The card would also be compatible with the government’s electronic payment system, Krisada said.

 

Nearly 8.4 million people were registered as low-income earners last year. About 7.72 million people were found to be eligible with 7.52 million receiving benefits, with the rest not having a bank account or failing to report to authorities. 

 

In the scheme that ended last year, people who earned less than Bt30,000 annually received a Bt3,000 subsidy while those who earned more than Bt30,000 but less than Bt100,000 received Bt1,500. 

 

The scheme cost the government Bt17.5 billion.

 

The junta’s economic forecast predicts GDP growth of 3 to 4 per cent this year as a result of an expansion of exports, an acceleration of agricultural production and increasing investment. Last year, the economy grew by 3.2 per cent, improving from 2.9 per cent in 2015, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30311103

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-03

[jerojero]

This is 20% of the population. Significant. PM, let's buy more submarines and cry lack of public funds for the poor.

[jerojero]

This is 20% of the population. Significant. PM, let's buy more submarines and cry lack of public funds for the poor. And GDP means nothing to rice farmers whose cost if production exceeds price of rice sold!

[lujanit]

This program could be a good one if it is implemented with the proper safeguards.  Many Thais are doing it hard and there is no doubt they need help to sustain something beyond their meagre existence.  Many farmers merely rent the land on which they grow rice or other crops and a proportion of the yield has to be given to the landholder.  These people merely make enough to live and deserve more.

[fforest1]

I can only afford to drink Chang beer and only drink at bars with

balloons/parties to get free food every night and only take a shower

once a week to save money on water...

 

Do you think I could register as a low income earner?

[Chris Lawrence]

Trying to buy voters? Will it be enough.

[johng]

21 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

Do you think I could register as a low income earner?

if you have Thai nationality and earn less than 100,000 per year  fill in the 4 page form and wait for the cash to flow

 

 

 

[Stargeezr]

In Thailand, there is a lot  if low  income earners, but wow  `15 million,  that is a lot of people.

  Don't all you expats that can afford to live in Thailand, at least feel a bit sorry for all of these people.

   I feel fortunate to know that I can afford to go to Thailand every 2 or 3 years, when so many Thai

people cannot afford to even leave Thailand at all.

Geezer

[malibukid]

why does Thailand need submarines?  i guess if your poor in Thailand it must be your Karma.  no need to help them.

[mfd101]

My family would easily qualify individually for the under 30K฿ annual threshold, but my prediction is that they will be too terrified to go to the bank to do anything about it, and the sight of the form to fill in (even by a helpful official) will merely confirm that. We shall see when I raise it with them over the next few days. [Of course, rich falang raising the issue probably won't encourage them either - What would he know? Will raise carefully with my b/f.]

 

On that basis there could of course be another 15 million unaccounted for as yet. For those of us who live in the sticks (increasingly prosperous though they are for some), that would not surprise.

[darksidedog]

1 hour ago, fforest1 said:

I can only afford to drink Chang beer and only drink at bars with

balloons/parties to get free food every night and only take a shower

once a week to save money on water...

 

Do you think I could register as a low income earner?

Nah, sorry! Could try registering as a stinky balloon chaser though.

[leeneeds]

However, enrolees could expect more stringent criteria and some might not be qualified to receive 

A TAXI licence , 

[rickudon]

Outside of the Bangkok area i would have thought MOST Thais would qualify, certainly only one of my family earns even close to that much (they are a teacher). However the house qualifier is a possible breaker - they all have somewhere to live and the houses are not small - mainly just old. Currently total income of the 10 other family members wouldn't reach 100,000 baht a year between them ....

Edited April 3, 2017 by rickudon
Adding more info.

[PETERTHEEATER]

My wife registered today at a Government Bank but despite the above explanation I think that the application forms will now be passed up to a government office to assess whether the applicant is entitled. She presented only her Thai ID Card and Tabien Bahn.

 

The bank told her that as she is over seventy years of age she is entitled.

 

Other applicants had to provide copies of Chanotes so, presumably, the next stage will check the value of the land and the size and if it exceeds the limits stated the applicant will be rejected.

 

A simple receipt was issued but certainly no 'ID Card' as mentioned above which would surely come from a higher authority if the application is approved.