progress seen in reform plan to reduce social disparity

BANGKOK, Dec 19 – Thailand’s reform plan will focus on resolving problems with the public welfare system, education and justice as a New Year’s gift to the Thai public, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday.

Speaking in his weekly address on radio and television, Mr Abhisit said regarding progress on his government’s plan to reduce social disparity so that welfare and the problems of the underprivileged will be resolved. Nutritional care will be offered to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers as aspects of welfare for babies. The government will set up nurseries in all sub-districts and at workplaces.

The government is also paying attention to farmers’ land problems. The Cabinet last week approved the transfer of land to Klong Yong cooperatives for issuing title deeds in the community. A Land Bank Administration Institute, in the form of a public organisation, will also be established.

Regarding education, Mr Abhisit said the government has already laid out almost all strategies to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children and others in remote areas, children of migrant families, disabled children, etc. Teachers’ welfare will be also improved.

Concerning justice, the government will support the community justice project, in which mechanism will access people in their communities to give advice and receive complaints.

The three issues will be followed up as part of the reform plan the prime minister considers as a New Year’s gift for the public.

The measures need only a small budget and the government is resolving the problems in terms of structure to boost justice and reduce social disparity, he added. (MCOT online news)