The second phase of the government's welfare and subsidy scheme, aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty, is set to seek the cabinet's approval within the next two weeks.
The scheme has four dimensions -- accessibility to the government's financial sources, non-compulsory education such as training courses to improve career skills, jobs and the four basic needs of living -- to improve poverty, permanent secretary for finance Somchai Sujjapongse said.
In the short run, employment is the most important issue, he said.
The Finance Ministry will apply a similar model to that used by China to solve problems radically, he said, adding that the ministry will set up a team to meet the 11.7 million recipients of the government's welfare scheme to discuss their situation.
In late August the cabinet approved the first phase of the aid package, worth 41.9 billion baht, for the 11.7 million low-income earners -- 5 million of whom have income below the poverty line of 30,000 baht a year.
Under the scheme, the government transfers 200-300 baht per month to each welfare smart card. Recipients earning under 30,000 baht a year get a monthly allowance of 300 baht and those with annual earnings of 30,000-100,000 baht receive 200 baht to buy discounted goods at Thong Fah Pracha Rat shops and other designated stores.
Each cardholder also receives 1,500 baht each month to subsidise transport, and 500 baht for inter-provincial public buses, third-class trains, and local public buses and electric trains.
This year's criteria for the scheme requires applicants to be unemployed or have had income of 100,000 baht or less last year to receive aid under the programme. Applicants' savings, savings certificates and bond holdings must be worth less than 100,000 baht combined.
If applicants own property, the area must not exceed 35 square metres for a condo unit, 25 square wah for a townhouse or 10 rai of land for agricultural purposes. Applicants must be Thai nationals aged 18 and over.
Mr Somchai said funding will be allocated from several ministries' budgets related to dealing with poverty, with the government likely to provide additional funds for the scheme.
To deliver on the second phase measures of the welfare scheme, he plans to meet the permanent secretaries for labour, commerce and interior, said Mr Somchai.
