Bangkok: Natcha Boonchaiinsawat, a Member of Parliament for Bangkok and a member of the Prachachon Party, has called on the new government to prioritize public welfare amidst its cabinet formation under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. At a time when the public’s focus is on the newly appointed cabinet’s roles, such as facilitating a referendum and amending the constitution, Natcha emphasizes the importance of establishing a universal welfare state to improve the quality of life for Thai citizens.
According to Thai News Agency, despite the limited timeframe, there are several welfare initiatives that the previous government promised but failed to implement. These include universal child support, an increase in elderly living allowances, and universal disability benefits. These proposals, previously approved in principle by the Cabinet, await finalization. Natcha urges the new government to pursue these initiatives without necessitating new legislation, as they can be advanced through a supporting “Cabinet
Resolution.”
Realizing these welfare proposals requires an additional budget of 38.548 billion baht. This includes 7.401 billion baht for child support, 28.013 billion baht for elderly allowances, and 3.134 billion baht for disability benefits. Natcha points out that this amount, when compared to the national budget of over 3.78 trillion baht, is manageable. He suggests sourcing the funds from the central budget’s Emergency Reserve, traditionally used for urgent issues like disasters and immediate relief.
Natcha believes this is a crucial opportunity for the new government to make a lasting impact by improving the basic quality of life for all Thais. He stresses that addressing civil welfare is a pressing need, offering a true investment in human life that will be remembered by the public long after the government’s tenure.