Thailand's "Ten Year Plan" to improve road safety has failed - instead of halving the death toll it's nearly doubled! 😡😡😡

Den som till äventyrs är förvånad - räck upp en hand !!!

Thailand's "Ten Year Plan" to improve road safety has failed - instead of halving the death toll it's nearly doubled!

 

Picture: Voice TV

 

A Zoom conference was told that the last ten years have seen a complete failure to address the carnage on Thailand's roads.

 

The ten years from 2011 to 2020 was billed as a decade to end the carnage. 

 

Instead of halving it has got much worse. 

 

In fact it has nearly doubled. 

 

It didn't need Thaivisa to do the math but we did: If nothing changes a MILLION more people could lose their lives by about the middle of the century.

 

Now a complete rethink is needed with refocus on what is important, otherwise it will just go on and on, said a manager of a road safety study group.

 

Dr Thanapong Jinwong said that the "10 year safety campaign" had failed. He was talking on the subject of "what to do about the roads so Thais don't fall victim to collisions".

 

Back in 2011 the target was to reduce road death from 20 per 100,000 inhabitants to 10.

 

Instead it is now 29 per 100,000. 

 

Earlier this year it looked like there was going to be some improvement but it proved a false dawn.

 

There were now just as many accidents and just as much death as ever on the Thai roads. 

 

He pinpointed the need to focus on three main areas:

 

1. Improving the driving skill and road use behavior of Thais.

 

2. Improving the safety of roads.

 

3. Ensuring law enforcement. 

 

These areas have long been advocated but continuing lip service being paid to the issue as well as a lack of any effective action means that the problems continue unabated. 

 

Dr Thanapong called for an end to a piecemeal approach with a setting up of a national taskforce to deal with the problem rather like the government has done with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

He said that concentrating on festivals (like Songkran and New Year when the issue is highlighted in the media and becomes a fleeting top priority), it needs to be a year round, all encompassing approach. 

 

If action is not taken now the problem will just get worse.

 

Thaivisa notes that the death toll on the Thai roads is among the worst in the world with a figure around 25,000 often given for annual deaths, perhaps 70% involving motorcycle fatalities. DPM Prawit Wongsuwean admitted two years ago that it was in excess of 20,000 per annum.

 

It is a sobering thought that if nothing is done to address the problem, the next three to four decades could see a MILLION people lose their lives on the nation's roads. 

 

Source: Voice TV



'Rally ban' vote plan under fire

Bangkok Post

'Rally ban' vote plan under fire

A referendum will solve ongoing political conflicts and give economic recovery a chance, says Palang Pracharath deputy leader Paiboon Nititawan. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Critics have slammed a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) deputy leader's proposal to hold a referendum to ban political rallies for two years, saying it would violate people's rights and only worsen the ongoing conflict.

The idea was floated by Paiboon Nititawan who said it would allow the economy to recover and stop tensions from escalating.

Citing Section 166 of the constitution, Mr Paiboon said he would propose to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that the question of whether to ban rallies could be asked of 52 million voters during the provincial administration elections in 76 provinces scheduled on Dec 20.

Since Bangkok does not have a provincial administration election, a referendum could be held specifically for the purpose, which would require only a small budget, he said.

The PPRP list MP said he had proposed the idea of using a referendum instead of a fresh election as the solution to the problem at the joint sitting of the Senate and the House on Oct 26.

In his view, a House dissolution to pave the way for a general election, one of the three demands of anti-government protesters, would only exacerbate economic problems and not solve the political conflict.

Since Section 166 does not allow holding a referendum on an issue that is in conflict with the constitution or an issue that involves individuals or groups of people, he proposed that the question be phrased carefully.

He said the question should ask whether voters agree with the two-year ban on "political assemblies which violate the public assembly law, breach Section 6 of the constitution on national security and undermine efforts to solve economic problems stemming from the Covid-19 outbreak".

The question should cite as reasons the need to maintain national security, public safety and economic security, prevent public disasters caused by conflicts among people, and allow economic measures, aid and remedies for people to bear fruit.

Since the public referendum law has yet to take effect, the prime minister could issue an executive decree for the referendum since it is an urgent issue, he said.

The referendum would allow people to directly exercise their sovereignty and power to address the situation now and achieve a consensus, he added.

However, Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome lambasted the proposal, saying it would violate the right to assembly guaranteed by the constitution.

He said that democracy is about respecting the majority and guaranteeing people's freedom. It is not about seeing the majority take away others' rights, he added.

"This proposal not only breaches the constitution, but it is also badly flawed and unworkable. Claims that rallies would impede an economic recovery and efforts to handle Covid-19 are unwarranted," Mr Rome said.

Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the opposition Prachachat Party, echoed the view, saying anti-government demonstrators have the right to hold peaceful rallies under the constitution.

"While we respect Mr Paiboon's proposal, it is impossible to deprive them of their constitutional right to assembly," Pol Col Tawee said.

Commenting on the proposal, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said: "I have never heard about this before. But it sounds strange."

Pornsant Liangboonlertchai, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of law, wrote on Facebook that the proposal runs counter to the constitution because it would breach the people's rights and liberties.

He said that the cabinet could use the referendum to restrict the people's rights which would lead to a dictatorship of the majority, thus only further fuelling the conflict.

"Mr Paiboon's proposal is not in line with democratic principles. It will only create divisions and conflicts as well as deligitmise the current constitution," Mr Pornsant said.

Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the Council of State, said that the council forwarded a national referendum bill to the cabinet secretariat on Oct 23.

The bill is intended to pave the way for a referendum on a charter rewrite -- one of the key demands made by the anti-government movement.





Skies to open for worshippers 😂😂😂😂



Skies to open for worshippers

Thai Airways International has launched a special flight for passengers who want to chant Buddhist mantras over 99 sacred sites. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Thai Airways International (THAI) has launched a special flight for passengers who want to chant Buddhist mantras over 99 sacred sites in the kingdom on Nov 30.

Wiwat Piyawiroj, executive vice president for THAI's commercial operations, said the special flight is part of a programme aimed at bolstering the tourism sector, which is in line with the government's policy.

He revealed that "the new travel experience" is part of THAI's "Magical Flying Experience" campaign.

Mr Wiwat said passengers will fly over the 99 holy sites in the capital and 31 provinces, including Chon Buri, Rayong, Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima, as they chant the mantras.

"There will be no landing during the flight and passengers will receive positive energy from chanting while onboard," he said.

The three-hour flight will take off from Suvarnabhumi airport at 1.30pm and return at 4.30pm on Nov 30, Mr Wiwat added.

Worshippers interested in booking a seat can expect to pay about 10,000 baht for business class and about 6,000 baht for economy. Booking for the seats is available until Nov 25.

In related news, Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution, said he will today lead THAI workers' union members to file a complaint against the company over its rehabilitation plan at Government House.

He said the workers want to expose irregularities in the rehabilitation plan to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

As of the end of June, THAI owed 332.2 billion baht. Its rehab plan was approved by the Central Bankruptcy Court on Sept 14. 



Cabinet to map out recovery for South

Bangkok Post

Cabinet to map out recovery for South

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha checks the screening process at Phuket Airport on Monday after he arrived on the island to hold a cabinet meeting. (Government House photo)

The mobile cabinet in Phuket will on Tuesday consider rescue packages for southern businesses severely affected by Covid-19, including soft loans for airlines and other tourism-related companies.

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the government would ask airlines to limit price increase to help stimulate domestic travel in exchange for soft loans.

Airline operators had asked the Finance Ministry in August to approve a 24-billion-baht soft loan budget to help depleted businesses resume normal operations but the ministry did not reply at that time.

As for the ministry's assistance for tourism-related businesses, Mr Arkhom said it would launch more low-interest loan programmes to help businesses maintain cash flow.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said he would ask for 1.5 billion baht to hire unemployed people in the six Andaman coastal provinces.

Mr Suchart said the money would be allocated from the government's 400-billion-baht budget for economic recovery in Phuket, Trang, Satun, Phangnga, Krabi and Ranong for 10 months. About 500 million baht would be allocated to Phuket to hire 8,000 people and the remaining provinces would receive 200 million baht each to hire around 2,000-3,000 people, he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday pledged to speed up the rebuilding of the tourism sector in the South, especially on Koh Samui and Phuket.

The PM presided over a meeting in Phuket on tourism rehabilitation in the province with cabinet ministers, provincial governors and representatives of the public and private sector.

Phuket proposed to the premier urgent and long-term measures to rehabilitate its battered economy.

The province asked the government to extend the "We Travel Together" programme until Dec 31, 2021, promote meetings and seminars in the province and increase weekend flights from Bangkok.

Phuket's long-term priorities include infrastructure development, a medical tourism project to develop the province as a world-class medical hub and incentives for companies to set up offices there.







When will Pattaya and Thailand open to general tourism and tourists? An explanation. - The Pattaya News

When will Pattaya and Thailand open to general tourism and tourists? An explanation.

Monday, 2 November 2020, 17:41

Thailand-

First off, a warning for our regular readers and those who scour every tourism Thailand article-this article will likely contain nothing new whatsoever that you are not already aware of and is purely being written as The Pattaya News gets many messages and e-mails daily on this exact question. If you are expecting an exact date or new information, you won't find it here and can save yourself time by leaving now. Therefore, having an easily searchable title and regularly updated article is one of the easiest solutions for this question.

Got it? Good. Because from here on we will be addressing what seems to be a significant majority of readers who have not read every article on the Thailand tourism situation and randomly google the phrase or search on our website.

The information below is updated as of early November, 2020.

  The short answer is we don't know. The long answer is a lot more complex.

First, it's worth stating why Thailand still has closed borders and what seems to be an overly complex, obtuse and difficult system to enter the country for a very small group of people who are allowed.

Thailand, officially speaking, has little to no locally spread cases of Covid-19. Pattaya has had no recorded cases of the virus in about seven months as of November, 2020.

Thailand is going for what they refer to as an elimination strategy, like New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Laos, China, Cambodia, Greenland, Australia, etc. The only acceptable number of cases of Covid-19 under this strategy that are locally spread is zero. Most countries have too many cases to pursue this strategy and are therefore going for a suppression strategy with regular increasing and decreasing restrictions and measures designed to slow down the spread of the virus until a vaccine or better treatment is available.

Therefore, opening to "general tourism" under this strategy simply can not be done as it would invalidate the elimination strategy. In Thailand, everything is open including events, nightclubs and bars. Although some measures like mask wearing, hand sanitizers, check in at some venues and some other measures take place, for the most part life is very much like it was before Covid-19, minus lack of foreign tourists. Music festivals are taking place, nightclub are open and running, protests with thousands are taking place, etc.  Thailand does not want to risk having to close and restrict businesses like other countries, even with the hit to tourism, thus for now has kept borders closed and likely will for the near future.

Although Thailand has not officially stated this, they are essentially waiting for better medical treatment, vaccines, faster and more accurate airport testing, the virus slowing down or petering out worldwide or similar results before openly allowing in general tourism. It may and likely will be many, many, many months until one is able to visit the country without quarantine and other measures. Some things will likely stay in place for a long time like required Covid-19 insurance and tests or vaccines down the road.

Now, Thailand IS letting in some tourists, mostly the wealthy from low risk countries (Like China) that have also officially recorded very low cases of Covid-19.  As time goes on and more countries hopefully get Covid-19 under control this list will likely expand. Countries named as being likely to get permission to enter under special conditions (which include quarantine) are places like Singapore, Japan, Korea, China, Australia (if they are allowed to travel), New Zealand, Taiwan etc. If you are from a country recording low to zero cases of Covid-19 your chances of getting back soon if you choose to are much more likely than a country like the USA, UK, Brazil or India.

Although in theory anyone that would be willing to pay money and do quarantine and pass the tests should be allowed to enter based on many people's opinions on our social media comments, in reality they are also limiting countries as they simply don't have the infrastructure with all the testing and required quarantines and other procedures to allow in more than a few countries and selected tourists at a time right now. They have chosen to focus primarily on China first as, officially speaking, the country has recorded low cases of Covid-19 and also were responsible for the largest amount of tourists in the past several years by far.

For those of you who want to read more about the process to get in for those who qualify for a special tourist visa (Again, only VERY low risk to no risk countries, mandatory quarantines, fit to fly certificates, multiple Covid-19 tests and chartered flights) you can read our prior article below.

Thailand's 'Special Tourist Visa' details including fees and additional charges explained

We here at The Pattaya News know this isn't likely the information people want to hear. Many people are understandably angry and separated from their loved ones and friends. We will update this information on a regular basis. Keep in mind Thailand also is letting in other groups of foreigners, if you qualify, such as those with work permits, children and married in the country. You can contact your local embassy or consulate for more information if you qualify. However, this article is about "general tourism".

Here are some more details about other groups that can enter and how:

Fact Check: Is Thailand open to all international tourists starting from August?

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Some claim "invisible Western hands" back Thailand's pro-democracy movement

By 

Caitlin Ashworth

02-11-2020

As the pro-democracy movement spreads, some are speaking out and accusing Western countries – specifically the United States – of "interfering" with Thai politics and backing the student-led protests. A commentator for the Chinese Community Party tabloid Global Times even said the Thai youth are being used as "cannon fodder by the US and its proxies."

Pro-democracy activists say this isn't the case and their movement spurs from years of discontent with Thailand's politics. Activists are calling on reform on both the military-run government and the monarchy as well as a rewrite of the 2017 Constitution. They're also pushing PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.

Thai PBS says conspiracy theorists have named the United States as the main "foreign hand" backing the pro-democracy protests.

In the opinion piece published in the Global Times, Yu Qun, deputy director of the Military Diplomacy Research Center at China's National University of Defense Technology, said he believes the United States government is trying to overthrow Thailand's current political system.

The Thai government and mainstream media believe that anti-government forces in the country have colluded with the US and other Western countries to use young people with the ultimate goal to overthrow the current political system in Thailand. Those forces aim to bring in pro-West political proxies to rule the country with Western-styled democracy. It is essentially a "color revolution." 

This is in line with the US' general practice. The US manipulated color revolutions in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and other countries and regions for its political intentions, leaving many countries in a mess, threatening regional and world peace and stability. 

It is unclear whether the Thai young generation, who are currently being used as cannon fodder by the US and its proxies, actually understand that a color revolution is not as beautiful nor peaceful as portrayed.

Some royalists have also accused the US of a so-called "hybrid war." Last week, a group gathered outside the United States Embassy in Bangkok and called on the American government to stop interfering with Thailand politics. One sign read "Stop hybrid war. Please return peace to the world."

Last year, Thailand's then-Army Commander-in-Chief General Apirat Kongsompong warned that Thailand was facing "hybrid warfare" waged by a "ill-intentioned politicians." He also accused some of the "foreign educated" academics with leftist views of being "masterminds" behind many anti-government and anti-military activities.

Some recently accused the US government of backing Thailand's recent student protests after photos of a former US Ambassador to Thailand and pro-democracy student leader were shared online. The US Embassy then released a statement saying embassy personnel regularly meet with many different people throughout Thailand and the meetings do not imply endorsement of any views.

"The United States government is not funding or otherwise providing support to any of the protests in Thailand. The United States does not support any individual or political party; we support the democratic process and the rule of law."

SOURCES: Thai PBS | Global Times| US Embassy Bangkok

Thai workers are now in great demand in foreign countries.

 

The Government Spokesperson disclosed that Thai workers are now in great demand in foreign countries. The main reason comes from Thailand's good management of the COVID-19 epidemic. This makes other countries that want to import workers have confidence in workers from Thailand. It is a good opportunity to allow Thais to work abroad. Recently, Thai workers went to collect wild fruit in Sweden and Finland in the 2020 season, which ran from July to September, generating a minimum estimated income of over 618 million baht on this trip alone. The Department of Employment has strict measures to protect Thai workers from the COVID-19 situation.

Source: https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/36393 

Referendum on banning protests for 2 years proposed – Thai Newsroom

 Referendum on banning protests for 2 years proposed

November 2, 2020  Nina

THE deputy head of Palang Pracharath Party today (Nov. 2) suggested that a referendum be held on banning protests for two years with a key aim being to prevent Covid-19 spreading in this country, Thai Rath newspaper reported.

 Mr. Paiboon Nititawan, the party's deputy leader, said in order to save budget the referendum could be tied together with the upcoming election of provincial administration council president and members nationwide on December 20, 2020.

The Election Commission would then only have to arrange a referendum in Bangkok.

In the absence of a special law on arranging such a referendum, he suggested that an emergency decree be issued to do so.

Paiboon pointed out that this is in fact an emergency and such a step is urgently needed and cannot be avoided for the security of the country, public safety, economic stability and to prevent public disasters.

He also suggested the wording for holding this particular referendum to head off any questions about the step possibly being seen to be among matters contrary to or inconsistent with the constitution.

CAPTION:

Top: Paiboon talking about his referendum proposal today. Photo: Thai Rath

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Leave 14 day quarantine alone says Koh Samui tourism association

 Posted 1 hour ago

STV: Leave 14 day quarantine alone says Koh Samui tourism association

 

 

A leading figure on the Thai tourist holiday island of Koh Samui has urged the Thai government to keep state quarantine at 14 days. 

 

They said that after a previously quarantined  French woman tested positive on the island half of all bookings were cancelled. 

 

And if the authorities can't get 14 day quarantine right, why reduce it to ten. 

 

As the mobile cabinet meeting is set to visit the island today, they have been asked to reconsider the controversial proposals.

 

Chief of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui Worasit Pongkhamphan outlined the dire state of tourism on the island.

 

He told PPTV 36 that there are 660 hotels and 28,000 rooms there but many are now shut. 

 

Only 130 are open offering 10,000 rooms. What little recovery there had been was knocked further by the case of the 57 year old French woman who tested positive on Samui after coming back from France and undergoing alternative state quarantine near Bangkok.

 

The case prompted 50% cancellations, he said. 

 

Now he has urged the cabinet through the tourism minister and health authorities not to change the quarantine to 10 days as they can't even get it right for 14. This should be kept in place for all those under the special tourist visa or STV.  

 

This is for the sake of the confidence of all foreign tourists, Thai tourists and locals, he said.

 

The cabinet is set to meet today and tomorrow in Samui and Phuket, said the media.

 

Source: PPTV



Registration of candidates for PAO elections begins

Registration of candidates for PAO elections begins

Candidates register for the Dec 20 Provincial Administration Organisation election at the provincial stadium in Muang district of Phichit province on Monday. (Photo: Sitthipoj Kebui)

The first stage of the first nationwide local government elections since the coup six years began on Monday with the opening of registration of candidates for chairmen and members of provincial administration organisations (PAO) in 76 provinces.

Applications close on Nov 6, with the full lists of applicants to be announced on Nov 13, according to the Election Commission.

The lists of candidates confirmed qualified to stand and the locations of polling stations in each province will be announced on Nov 24. Polling is scheduled for Dec 20.

The initial response was reported to be busy in most provinces.

In Nakhon Ratchasima province, registration was at Chatichai Hall in the grounds of the provincial sports stadium in Muang district.

Candidates and large numbers of supporters began to show up before 8.30am. They were required to undergo screening for Covid-19.

Provincial governor Wichian Chantaranothai was present to witness the applications.

Nakhon Ratchasima has 2.1 million eligible voters in 32 districts. They are to elect one PAO chairman and 48 members of the PAO council. The provincial election committee expects voter turnout to be at least 70%.

In Khon Kaen, registration is at the PAO auditorium. A large number of candidates and their supporters also turned up on Monday morning.

All types of local elections were suspended by the coup-makers' National Council for Peace and Order after themilitary ousted the Pheu Thai-led government on May 22, 2014. There have been some elections for local village chiefs this year.

Other types of local government elections will follow later - tambon administration organisations, municipalities and special administration areas such as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Pattaya City - according to the government 





THAI announce "semi commercial flights" between Europe, Asia, Australia in November and December

 THAI announce "semi commercial flights" between Europe, Asia, Australia in November and December

 

Picture: Daily News

 

THAI Airways chief executive Wiwat Piyawirot told Daily News Sunday that booking is now open for flights to and from seven destinations in Europe, Australia and other parts of Asia including Japan. 

 

These are what is known as semi commercial flights and are being used for returnees, people with families in Thailand, businessmen, students and travelers with connecting flights. 

 

They comprise flights to London, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei and Sydney. 

 

Return flights are available to London on Sundays in November and December, Frankfurt on Fridays and Copenhagen on Sundays.

 

Flights to and from Hong Kong are on Wednesdays November 4th and 18th and on Wednesdays in December.

 

Bangkok to Tokyo (Narita) will be Wednesdays and Saturdays, Tokyo to Bangkok Thursdays and Sundays.

 

Bangkok - Taipei return will be on Fridays in November and Wednesdays 4th and 18th. Flights on this route in December will be on Fridays the 4th, 11th and 18th and Wednesday 23rd.

 

Bangkok to Sydney is on Sundays (travelers must inform the Australian embassy in Thailand. Sydney to Bangkok for Thai returnees is on Mondays.

 

Thaivisa urges all potential travels to check with the airline for confirmation of schedules and conditions. 

 

Source: Daily News

Thai Economy Better Than Predicted



Thai Economy Better Than Predicted 1 November 2020 (Readers 37)

Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri stated that Thailand's economic situation was better than predicted earlier, largely because of the Government's continued measures to cushion the economy. Mr. Anucha quoted a report by the Ministry of Finance that the Thai economy would contract by 7 percent in 2020, which is lower than the 7.2-8.2 percent forecast previously. He said that Thailand's ranking in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business 2020 list had edged up six places, from 27th to 21st this year from 190 countries surveyed. In the ranking, Thailand's score also increased, representing the highest over the past six years. The increase, he said, showed that the Thai economic structure was adjusting to accommodate higher-value manufacturing, as a result of the Government's efforts to focus on the use of the digital system and to improve various rules and regulations that help enhance the country's competitiveness. Mr. Anucha said that Fitch Ratings recently affirmed Thailand's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at "BBB+" with a stable outlook. Thailand's ratings are supported by strong public and external finances, which have provided buffers to respond to the economic shock and market volatility associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Fitch expects Thailand's general government debt ratio to stabilize over the medium term in light of a record of prudent fiscal management, reinforced by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2018, though the trajectory remains sensitive to growth assumptions. It also expects Thailand's external finances to remain a core credit strength and buffer against external volatility.

Phuket: "Graveyard Patong" - where even the 7-Eleven is shut

Posted 31 minutes ago

Phuket: "Graveyard Patong" - where even the 7-Eleven is shut

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media Daily News started the week in pessimistic style by reporting that it is nearly a year since people first heard the terms coronavirus or Covid-19.

 

Now places like Phuket and Samui and most of the tourist businesses in them are deathly quiet.

 

Places where even the 7-Elevens have shut because there is not enough trade. 

 

They used as their inspiration a Facebook post from a tourist called Siriwan Ruksat who said that the Patong area in Phuket was a "graveyard".

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Apparently they had been invited for a massage because the business had no customers and when they arrived they appreciated that the rumors about the convenience store were true.

 

Other pictures included deserted streets and a bolted pharmacy.

 

A bank of ATMs had no people at them. 

 

The pandemic had seen to that. 

 

Source: Daily News



Thailand successfully reduced poverty rates

Tanyaporn R.

November 2, 2020

Data reveals Thailand has successfully reduced poverty for the year 2019. Prayut Chan-o-cha the Prime Minister of Thailand is pleased with the statistics reported by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Thailand's poverty rate has decreased to 6.24% or there are approximately 4.3 million people in poverty. In 2018, the poverty rate was at 9.85% or there were approximately 6.7 million people in poverty. It is stated that the poverty rate has decreased thanks to government help for those in poverty. Income has increased to an average of 9,847 THB per person/month. Nonthaburi Province and Pathum Thani Province win for the lowest poverty rate set at 0.24%. 

Credit: Borgen Project

The government help includes several projects including the Government Welfare Registration program and the program to help strengthen local economies. 2019 data show that the Thai people have an average earning of 9,847 THB per person/month compared to 2017 when the average earning was at 9,614 THB per person/month. This is an increase of 2.42% in the average earnings of the Thai people. The average earning for a person in poverty is now at 3,016 THB per person/month compared to 2,823 THB per person/month. This is an increase of 6.81% in the average earnings of those in poverty.

With a decrease to 6.24% in Thailand's poverty rate for the year 2019, this is a successful reach to help resolve poverty issues in the country. The goal is to further reduce poverty rates within 2021. The plan to further reduce poverty in Thailand must take into consideration the Covid-19 situation the world has faced in 2020 and into the future. For Thailand, the virus has heavily affected the overall economy and employment rates. 

As for the overall picture in different parts of Thailand, the poverty rate has decreased in almost every province. There are 2 provinces Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani with the lowest poverty rate at 0.24%. The number is followed by Phuket at 0.40%, Samut Prakan at 0.56%, and Bangkok at 0.59%. The PM will continue to find solutions for poverty in the country, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the number including education, agricultural problems, the connection between large households and low income, and informal workers who have no protection under labor protection laws.   

Credit: AFP/ Romeo Gacad

FB Caption: The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported Thailand's poverty rate has decreased to 6.24%.

Source: Khaosod