Bangkok: At 1:30 PM, Mr. Yotsanu Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate, discussed the "Thai People Without Poverty" policy, which aims to provide financial assistance to those earning below the 3,000 baht poverty line. He revealed that initial figures suggest about 3.4 million Thais earn below this threshold, many of whom are bedridden or elderly and unable to work, causing concern for their families. The policy intends to offer an income of 3,000 baht per month from a limited and targeted budget, separate from the elderly allowance, to restore dignity and empower Thais to seize opportunities.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Yotsanan emphasized another aspect of the policy, which is to provide access to loans for Thais living abroad. This initiative is tied to boosting Thai tourism through cultural ambassadors who promote Thai culture, such as its cuisine and massage services. He noted that similar to how Japanese and Korean restaurants in Thailand spark interest to visit those countries, supporting Thais overseas to start businesses could, in turn, attract more tourists to Thailand, thus stimulating the economy.
In response to criticism from Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy leader and prime ministerial candidate of the People's Party, who argued that the policy might not effectively alleviate poverty, Mr. Yotsanan stated their readiness to assist. He referenced past skepticism regarding the 30-baht healthcare project, asserting that human dignity is crucial. He believes that public support will follow if tangible efforts are made to care for fellow citizens. Once comprehensive data is collected, relevant agencies will be enlisted to bolster income-boosting initiatives.
Mr. Suriya, addressing Ms. Sirikanya's remarks, concurred that individuals with the lowest income should have a living standard of at least 3,000 baht per month. For those earning less, he aims to supplement their income to meet this benchmark, equating to about 100 baht per day. He acknowledged the necessity of this support for basic survival, although he admitted that completely eradicating poverty is unrealistic.