Children’s subsidy ‘will empty the country’s coffers’

[webfact]

Children’s subsidy ‘will empty the country’s coffers’

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Phalang Pracharat Party leader hits back at critics, insists policy would boost Thailand’s human resources.

 

 

EXPERTS have accused the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party of presenting populist policies that would lavish huge sums on voters and leave the country bankrupt.

 

Dr Suphat Hasuwankit, director of Chana Hospital and a member of the Rural Doctors Society, said the country’s treasury could be stretched to the limit by the party’s “Manda Pracharat” policy which would cost Bt126 billion annually for six years.

 

According to Phalang Pracharat leader Uttama Savanayana, who explained the policy on Facebook on Tuesday, Manda Pracharat would provide monthly subsidies to children from the foetal stage until they are six years old.

 

 

Bt181,000 per year per child

 

Women would be given Bt3,000 per month for all nine months of their pregnancy and another Bt10,000 to cover delivery expenses. After birth, the child will be provided a monthly subsidy of Bt2,000 until it turns six. Each family would receive a total Bt181,000 per child.

 

Despite praising the concept in theory, Suphat said in practice the policy would use up a significant portion of the yearly national budget and end up dragging the country into a financial crisis.

 

“I don’t know if Phalang Pracharat did the maths before announcing this policy, because according to Public Health Ministry statistics, some 700,000 babies are born in Thailand every year,” he said.

 

“If we multiply this by the Bt181,000 subsidy per child, then the government will have to spend more than Bt126 billion per year.”

 

He pointed out that this amount was much higher than the Bt180 billion earmarked every year for the Universal Healthcare scheme, which covers 47 million people.

 

“I agree that every party needs to come up with policies to win votes, but this one is not only going to bankrupt our country; it clearly looks like Phalang Pracharat is planning to use our tax money to buy votes,” he said.

 

Uttama defended the policy, however, saying his party’s aim was to invest in building a quality human-resource capital by offering financial aid to families so they are able to better raise their children.

 

“Each child represents invaluable ‘capital’ for the nation, so it is our priority to invest in developing good human resources,” Uttama said.

 

“Though we need to do more, ensuring good care in children’s first six years will help create a firm foundation for further development later.”

 

Uttama, who served as industry minister before stepping down to lead the party, said Phalang Pracharat had already worked out where the funds would come from and that the details would be disclosed soon.

 

Subsidising motherhood

 

The pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party has launched its “Manda Pracharat” or “Mother Pracharat” policy, pledging funding for every child from the foetal stage to six years old. Details:

 

Monthly subsidy for pregnant women: Bt3,000 for 9 months

Subsidy for childbirth: Bt10,000

Monthly subsidy for child until six years old: Bt2,000

Total subsidy per child: Bt181,000

Source: Palang Pracharat Party

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30364089

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-14

[ukrules]

Changes like this will bring Thailand firmly into the 20th century.

 

There is no typo in the above comment.

[Gulfsailor]

I think Suphat needs to redo his maths. The 181,000 Baht is the total cost per child over a period of 6 years + 9 months, not per annum.

 

Most Western countries have a scheme like this, to entice people to have children and prevent an ever aging population bankrupting the country in the future. It's either doing this or importing lots of new workers via immigration. 

[Samui Bodoh]

"...Women would be given Bt3,000 per month for all nine months of their pregnancy and another Bt10,000 to cover delivery expenses. After birth, the child will be provided a monthly subsidy of Bt2,000 until it turns six. Each family would receive a total Bt181,000 per child.."

 

It is hard to argue that Thai infants/children don't need a helping hand; most modern research into human development places huge emphasis on what occurs between the ages of 0-6.

 

However;

 

"...He pointed out that this amount was much higher than the Bt180 billion earmarked every year for the Universal Healthcare scheme, which covers 47 million people..."

 

There is also great validity with the above; it does not make a lot of sense to treat an infant properly, then dump him/her into a hugely sub-standard school system and progress into a life of menial labour with sub-standard health care.

 

If Thailand is going to attempt to care for its infants/people properly, then it should make a commitment to care for all its people properly. Get rid of the Bureaucracy's and Military's private health scheme and have ONE, UNIVERSAL health service that is properly funded. Reform the Education system so that overall quality and regional disparities are dealt with. Create policies which allow for economic development in ALL areas of the country. Enact a tax system whereby the wealthy actually pay their fair share, and include property taxes. Reform the Police, the Bureaucracy, the Military and State employees (I.e. the ENTIRE State Apparatus) so that they act within their purview and provide proper services to the general populace. Etc Etc. Etc.

 

Yes, I am dreaming, but if Thailand is serious about creating a good society, then the aspirational goals should be a rule of law based society, equal access to social services, and respect for the Thai people delivered through allowing proper, fair elections.

 

As much as I would like to believe that there is some serious intent here, it looks like political lip-service which will be forgotten if the military continues in power after their "election".

 

"...“I agree that every party needs to come up with policies to win votes, but this one is not only going to bankrupt our country; it clearly looks like Phalang Pracharat is planning to use our tax money to buy votes,” he said..."

 

Hard to argue with the last comment above...

 

[smedly]

giving cash to Thais is a bad idea

 

perhaps some form voucher perhaps - limited to purchase certain things

 

or spend the money on useless submarines 

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

EXPERTS have accused the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party of presenting populist policies that would lavish huge sums on voters and leave the country bankrupt.

where is the problem ? they never intend on fulfilling those promises

[fruitman]

Good plan, so the children don't have to borough mum's motocycle anymore but can have their own since they are born.

[mok199]

  Thais don't court, woo,send chocolates or romance ,its 30 minutes of redicurous flirting then ,straight to the ''short time hotel''....Valentines day thai style..

[Rc2702]

Bad idea. 

 

Better to provide vouchers for baby products and essentials only. 

 

But really this is just to make political waves on a false promise. Sane with all governments. They don't need a wall afterall.

[leeneeds]

Minus the 10,000, plus minus the 3000,

leave the 2000 for every child that would be more sustainable,  part of those savings then can be spent on reducing class size by building more schools and paying a decent wage for quality teachers, 

Already so many schools are over crowded 50 students per class in many , one teacher to allot how much time if a student needs guidance,   

I have seen this first hand, and most students will then get lost to the system over time, 

 

 

 

[Sticky Wicket]

This is why I disagree with people waxing lyrical about Thailand's reserves/GDP etc. Trying to compare them to developed western countries

A third world country like this should be growing rapidly at this stage in their development, building up huge reserves to be able to fund welfare projects down the line. 

It had the location and attractions to be a SEA powerhouse, but constant graft, coups and no investment in education means it will stay 3rd world forever. 

 

 

[bannork]

No problem, just 2 days ago the PM told Thai citizens to not believe political parties that promise a lot. 'They're only good at talking,' he said.

Hopefully the people will believe the good general and not vote for this party that promises so much.

[boonrawdcnx]

 
Despite praising the concept in theory .....

Nothing but copying what many European countries are doing since several decades.

“I agree that every party needs to come up with policies to win votes, but this one is not only going to bankrupt our country; it clearly looks like Phalang Pracharat is planning to use our tax money to buy votes,” he said.
 
Oh yes oh yes remember Thaksin and his costly populist policies - how they all condemned him?

Vote buying with tax money and then either backtracking after the fake election or raising taxes to recover the money.

 
“Each child represents invaluable ‘capital’ for the nation, so it is our priority to invest in developing good human resources,” Uttama said.

Yes we can see that by the quality education and brain washing the “invaluable” Thai children get every day !


Uttama, who served as industry minister before stepping down to lead the party, said Phalang Pracharat had already worked out where the funds would come from and that the details would be disclosed soon.


Which means translated - he has no idea where the money will come from.



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[soalbundy]

Is this more than the submarines cost ?

[BuckBee]

Mmm cash for kids, sure the young educated parents use the money wisely on drugs and mobile phones ????

This will produce more unwanted kids poorly educated and living with other family members as mum/dad not mature enough be parents .

Would be a bigger shambles than rice subsidy lol .

 

[hotchilli]

This even tops Yingluk's rice pledging scam (scheme)

That's going on current baby birth rates... this money could kick-off a baby boom !

[boonrawdcnx]

No problem, just 2 days ago the PM told Thai citizens to not believe political parties that promise a lot. 'They're only good at talking,' he said.
Hopefully the people will believe the good general and not vote for this party that promises so much.

I read Thais posting on Twitter laughing at his comments “not to believe the politicians who just talk a lot “ posting and asking his fellow countrymen - “is he aware that he is the one who talks most of them all”.

What Prayuth meant of course is “ People don’t believe politicians like Thanathorn” who exposed them as the cheats they are live on the TV debate the other day.
Triggering a huge response especially from young voters praising Thanathorn for his precise points, outspokenness - and for not resorting to impolite language like Prayuth and others when challenged.



Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Lupatria]

My currency converter gave up. For better understanding, how much is 756 billion baht in armed crowd control vehicles, submarines, and taxi choppers for generals?

[mikebell]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Women would be given Bt3,000 per month for all nine months of their pregnancy and another Bt10,000 to cover delivery expenses. After birth, the child will be provided a monthly subsidy of Bt2,000 until it turns six. Each family would receive a total Bt181,000 per child.

Blimey - no wonder so many men want to be women in Thailand.  It's a lucrative profession.

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“Each child represents invaluable ‘capital’ for the nation, so it is our priority to invest in developing good human resources,” Uttama said.

on the other hand, each child also represents a future motocy gang member, ya ba addict and lost-face killer.

Improve your society first, before flooding your nation with more "potentials".

[djayz]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

quality human-resource capital 

GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).    

You need quality breeding stock to begin with. 

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

EXPERTS have accused the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party of presenting populist policies that would lavish huge sums on voters and leave the country bankrupt.

Versus Prayut's populous "gifts, high speed trains and military weapons.

Children bad - military good.

[exparte]

Corruption within every sector is what empties the Government Coffers. Get real.

[Time Traveller]

The idea that you pay money for women to have babies is among the craziest ideas that anyone could put out there. 

Seriously, we're talking crackhead politics. 

The net effect would be more child beggars. More single mothers. More teenage pregnancies. More women ending up in prostitution. Even the emergence of baby factories to rort the system. 

Seriously bad crack head idea. 

[jaiyen]

Better to spend it on people than Crappy Chinese submarines, tanks and helicopters for an army that does nothing. If they had to fight, most of them would run away ! Thats the Thai way,

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Is this more than the submarines cost ?

Shhh, shhh -- that's different - submarines are toys for big boys - the ones who are now just past the 6 years old stage.

[chainarong]

There's not much difference in supporting a social obligation than propping up high speed rail programs.

[robblok]

6 hours ago, Gulfsailor said:

I think Suphat needs to redo his maths. The 181,000 Baht is the total cost per child over a period of 6 years + 9 months, not per annum.

 

Most Western countries have a scheme like this, to entice people to have children and prevent an ever aging population bankrupting the country in the future. It's either doing this or importing lots of new workers via immigration. 

I thought so to however he is totally right in his calculation. The first year it might be cheaper but it compounds. So his math is correct in year 6 you got 6 x 700.000 kids. So yes its correct. I could write it all out for you but I think if you look at it again you will see he is right for the cost per 6 from year 6 on.

 

Unless they can find that kind of money its totally unrealistic. Would be nice if they could cut it from the armed forces. However this is NOT pocket change at all and there needs to be a way to finance this.

[StayinThailand2much]

8 hours ago, ukrules said:

Changes like this will bring Thailand firmly into the 20th century.

 

There is no typo in the above comment.

True. And if they cannot afford it, perhaps they need to overhaul their taxation system.

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[Enoon]

6 hours ago, Gulfsailor said:

 I Most Western countries have a scheme like this, to entice people to have children and prevent an ever aging population bankrupting the country in the future. t's either doing this or importing lots of new workers via immigration. 

 

Or letting the sickly and resource demanding elderly die off.

 

Instead of desperately trying to keep them alive and supported for eternity.

 

Natural selection........21st century style.

 

The ultimate, long term result of more children is........more and more elderly to maintain if we insist they have to be kept alive for as long as possible.

 

That is what has caused the demographic "problem" in the West.