Cabinet Extends Measures to Help Low-Income Earners

Thailand's Cabinet has extended for another three months measures to lower the cost of living for the country's low-income earners, Minister of Finance Korn Chatikavanij announced.

The fnance minister said the decision to extend the measures which will be expired in March for free electricity came as eight million households have benefted from the measure, while free rides on buses and third-class trains will also help ease fnancial burden of low income earners.

Regarding free tap water, Mr. Korn said the government has provided regular help for those using less than 50 and 20 cubic metres per month, respectively. But the water measure will not be continued now as the government sees that many households can afford tap water, which costs only 15 baht to 50 baht.
(US$0.45-1.50)

The minister said a Bt4.5 billion budget will be allocated to cover the remaining three measures.

The government's measures to reduce cost of living which have been extended through June includes free electricty for households using less than 90 units of electricity per month, free rides on 800 public buses in the capital's 73 routes, and free 172 lines of third-class trains on a daily basis.