Southern MP candidates hail child welfare initiative

Would-be election candidates in the South recently voiced support for a civil society proposal to provide monthly 3,000-baht stipends to parents under a universal child welfare scheme.

A seminar was recently held in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district to discuss children’s welfare. The event was joined by state agencies and poll candidates from the southern provinces.

Citing a Thailand Development Research Institute study, Sunee Chaiyaros, chairwoman of a group working to advance welfare policies for children, said 3,000 baht per month for children under six would help ensure their development.

A universal welfare scheme for children would grant benefits to more than 2 million children from poor families, she said, adding a committee will also propose expanding welfare for pregnant…