The Finance Ministry is proposing a THB2,750 monthly welfare payment for citizens that earn less than THB30,000 (USD900) per year.
If approved, the welfare payments, which are expected to cost the state THB40 billion (USD1.2 billion) annually, would be transferred directly to eligible citizens’ accounts, starting in October. The people enrolled in the program must receive job training to improve themselves, Finance Secretary-General Somchai Sujjapongse said in a report on Tuesday.
The people who receive the payments will also have their earnings reevaluated every month, and will be cut off once they earn more than THB30,000 per year on their own.
A source from the ministry said the sum of THB2,750 is to meant to pay for five necessities — THB1,000 for train fares, THB800 for inter-provincial buses, THB600 for city bus fares, THB200 for electricity bills, and THB150 for water bills, T News reported.
However, the government hasn’t said how they will ensure the money is used to make these payments.
As the project is being considered, Thai netizens have already begun weighing in on it. Most people disagree with the government giving out free money.
“Why not giving them discounts on water and electricity bills instead? There are no skytrains or public buses in the upcountry. Look at the big picture,” one Facebook user said.
“Can you just find them jobs instead of handing them the money?” another user said.
“Just increase the prices of agricultural produce to help the farmers. As a farmer, I live a simple life, and I work to feed myself. I’d gladly earn money myself, rather than receiving other people’s money,” commented one person.
Last year, the government gave away a one-time sum of up to THB3,000 cash to low income citizens as “holiday gifts.” In February, netizens, both Thai and foreign, were enraged when the government suggested they may let the poor ride the BTS for free.
