Allowances, pensions boosted for war veterans
The government has approved hikes in several allowances and pensions for Thailand’s 630,000 war veterans beginning on June 1.
War Veterans Organisation of Thailand (WVO) director General Sumpan Tanyapuch said on Tuesday Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration had approved the hikes as the WVO celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
Yearly medical coverage will rise to Bt3,500 from Bt3,000 and the allowance for holders of Level 2 to Level 4 cards – veterans injured in the line of duty – will increase to Bt4,000 per year from Bt3,120.
People with veteran family cards will also receive Bt4,000 a year, up from Bt3,640.
Veterans entitled to the Phadungkiat Pension and Cherdchukiat payments will get Bt6,000, up from Bt5,000, and the special pension rate for Level 1 cardholders – disabled veterans – will receive Bt9,000, hiked from Bt8,060.
Veterans with Apijood Level entitlements will receive Bt6,500, up from Bt5,800.
Beginning on October 1, veterans with any type of entitlement card will also get a Bt1,000 per-occasion allowance, increased from Bt800.
Sumpan announced the hikes at a ceremony at the WVO Nakhon Ratchasima office where 10 children of veterans received scholarships.
He also inspected the regional office’s work and heard comments and grievances from veterans living in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum.
Thailand’s assistance to veterans covers three million people in total when their family members are included in the count.