Some thank govt, others think it's a populist ploy
POST REPORTERS
The government's six-point package to offset the financial suffering of the poor has drawn mixed reactions from people around the country.
Supporters thanked the government for throwing them a lifeline while opponents called it a populist policy designed to buy the battered government time in power. Yaowaman Chansuwan, a 50-year-old food seller, said the aid package, which includes free electricity and tap water for low energy users, would not end their hardship. But it would at least give them more breathing space.
"Thank you so much" was her response to the government for offering the measures.
The package, which will cost taxpayers around 40 billion baht, would also slash excise taxes on some fuels and give people free rides on a number of state-operated buses in Bangkok.
"It's like the government is giving out desserts on Children's Day. Once the festival is over, everything will be gone," said businessman Chalermchai Kongthaiin in Lampang's Muang district.
Some northern villagers felt the measure had nothing to do with curbing the rising cost of farm materials such as fertiliser.
"I think the government has rushed the measures through to only to please people and cash in on the popular vote," said Surapon Tansuwan, mayor of Lampang municipality.
He questioned why the government chose to unveil the package when it is in bad shape economically and politically.
The government has been criticised by the Democrats for its poor performance in dealing with national issues.
People in Phuket echoed this view.
Phuket tourism association deputy chairman Purit Maswongsa said the package was populist and offered arbitrarily to certain groups of people to lessen political pressure on the government.
For example people could not take advantage of the free bus rides if they live outside of Bangkok, he said.
"Why doesn't it solve problems at a macro rather than a micro level?"
Many people in Chiang Mai, however, gave full backing to the package.
Maejo University student Sirinpa Jantorata said families would be able to save on their monthly utilities bills. She added it may actually encourage people to use less electricity and water to make sure their consumption stays within the levels that would qualify them to get free use of utilities.
"We have to seize this opportunity the government has given us," she said.
A number of residents in Bangkok also agree with the measures. However, some were worried the policy could backfire and compromise the standard of service of public transport.
They were afraid there would not be enough free-fare buses to serve people. While the measures overall pleased many Bangkokians, some residents warned the government not to exploit the measures to justify its political ends.
There was speculation the government is trying to shore up its slumping popularity as it prepares for a House dissolution and a subsequent fresh general election.
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