Bangkok: The House Economic Committee has strongly criticized the government for its mishandling of critical issues affecting citizens, urging a comprehensive review of the criteria for the "poverty alleviation card" and investments in data centers.
According to Thai News Agency, the Committee on Economic Development held a press conference addressing the government's failure to prioritize public interest in its welfare programs and investment strategies. Mr. Veerayut Kanchuchat, Chairman of the Committee, and Mr. Sittipol Wiboonthanakul, First Vice Chairman, highlighted the shortcomings in the government's implementation of the State Welfare Card and data center investment criteria, both of which were initially approved by the Cabinet but have been sent back for reconsideration.
The State Welfare Card program has faced criticism for disqualifying many eligible citizens, an issue attributed to a lack of coordination within the Cabinet rather than solely the Ministry of Finance. The eligibility criteria, approved by the entire Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, have been revised twice, yet continue to display flaws. The Committee emphasized that these criteria fail to account for the actual lifestyles and needs of citizens, and the proposed transition to the Thai Help Thai Plus program poses financial challenges for those in need.
Additionally, the Committee pointed out that the criteria for farmers, based on land ownership and debt, are unrealistic. The current thresholds risk disqualifying nearly all farmers, necessitating a reevaluation that considers data from all relevant agencies to ensure fair distribution of resources. The government is urged to extend the appeal period and assume responsibility for verifying eligibility, rather than placing the burden on the citizens.
On the issue of data center investments, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, has ordered a review of the approval criteria. Concerns have been raised that the current criteria lack provisions for water management, environmental impact assessments, and economic value creation. The Committee has called for these criteria to be applied retroactively to already approved projects, stressing the need for the Board of Investment to enforce stricter checks to maximize benefits for Thailand. The current approach, which has favored investment without thorough planning, reflects a broader issue of governmental inconsideration for its citizens' welfare.