Thailand’s consumer council appeals for higher elderly allowances

In a recent online forum, the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) voiced a call to the new government the reconsideration a policy that restricts certain elderly individuals from obtaining monthly grants, advocating instead for the reinstatement and enhancement of the universal pension scheme to allow an increment of 3,000 baht (US$ 84) each month.

Nimit Tienudom, the vice-chair of TCC and the representative of the People’s Network for Welfare State, made this appeal. He shared his perspective about how monthly allowances for senior citizens, which were first initiated in 2009, are in urgent need of progress and shouldn’t face degradation.

“Every senior citizen should have the right to a monthly allowance from the state,” affirmed Nimit. “The basic pension ought to ensure the elderly have sufficient funds to cater to their daily needs.”

He…