POVERTY
PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN
Activists voiced opposition to the government's coupon programme for low-income residents yesterday, but suggested instead discounts be offered on public utilities, accommodation and children's education.
The government is planning to distribute coupons nationwide to the poor to help them cope with the soaring cost of living. The coupons will be redeemable for basic foodstuffs and consumer goods.
But Chalee Loysoong, from the People's Network Coordination Centre, said the government had not outlined any clear criteria on who is entitled to receive the coupons.
He said the coupon programme seemed to be a tool to enhance the government's popularity rather than an effective means of easing financial difficulties.
Those benefiting most from the programme would be major retailers, he said.
The government should instead directly help the poor by lowering their household expenses, for example through discounts on tap water, electricity, rent, schooling and students' bus fares.
Moreover, the government should control commodity prices in the market and make available low-price commodities such as rice and basic cooking ingredients through labour unions, cooperatives and community shops.
The government should also promote direct farm produce trading between farmers and consumers, said Mr Chalee.
Pratin Wekawakayanont, president of the Four-Region Slums Network, said she thought the coupon programme would be similar to the Thaksin Shinawatra administration's village fund programme which benefit mostly politicians' canvassers.
People without any access to politicians could not get the funds, she said.
Lowering each household's expenses by the reduction of public utility fees and bus fares would benefit everybody, said Mrs Pratin.
Sujin Rungsawang, from a network of workers in the informal sector, said the coupon programme is not a sustainable way to help the poor.
The government should instead help poor families pay for their children's education, she said.
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