UTCC suggests Bt2,000 monthly coupons for low-income people
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) proposes that the government give monthly Bt2,000 coupons to low-income people until the new minimum daily wage of Bt300 is implemented nationwide early next year, to help such people cope with rising
The government is scrambling to work with all relevant state agencies to find solutions to the rising price of goods. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also held talks with Transport Co to urge it to maintain existing bus fares.
Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said yesterday that the slight reduction of oil prices in the world market would help slow the rise in the cost of living. At the same time, the world community is facing high inflation derived from financial problems in powerful economies in the West, which will also affect Thailand.
Kittiratt insisted that the government did not plan any taxation changes this year.
Aat Pisanwanich, dean of the UTCC faculty of economics, said the Bt2,000 coupon for people earning less than Bt10,000 per month would help them purchase goods. However, the coupons should be restricted to purchases at the Raan Thook Jai low-cost shops set up by the Commerce Ministry and similar Raan Thook Thang Phand Din shops set up by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.
To prevent corruption in the coupon scheme, the government should ask recipients to register with relevant government agencies.
Moreover, the government should consider rental fees for space to sell goods and other service costs that push up costs for vendors.
Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said producers would maintain food prices for four months as requested by the government. However, prices of industrial goods will be adjusted in line with rising production costs.
“Prices of some industrial goods need to be raised to strengthen competitiveness of manufacturers, but we will consider fair prices to ensure that they will affect consumers too much,” Payungsak said.
He said the government should consider measures to control the cost of fuel and electricity as well as prevent market monopolisation.
Virathai Santiprapob, strategy officer and vice president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, predicted that high inflation in the second half of this year would affect the profits of listed companies. This is because the manufacturing sector cannot increase prices in line with rising costs.
Currently, 42 products are on the Commerce Ministry price-control list.
