Thai govt to launch social welfare benefits for low-income earners by New Year

BANGKOK, Nov 20 (TNA) – Registered low-income earners will receive social welfare benefits from the government by the end of 2016, according to Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong. Apisak said the government is studying appropriate measures to be launched by year-end as a New Year present for low-income earners. More than eight million low-income people registered for the government’ welfare program. Half of the registered people or about four million people, are farmers, living in rural areas. Besides general social welfare benefits, including free public transportation and utilities such as electricity and tap water in order to reduce their living costs, the new public welfare scheme under consideration will be planned to meet the needs of all low-income earners, the Finance minister said. (TNA)