Major parties unveil policies to woo elderly voters
Most major political parties have launched campaign policies to draw support from elderly or retired voters.
The Nation has compiled key policies for helping the elderly from nine political parties running in the election tentatively scheduled on May 7.
- United Thai Nation Party
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the party’s candidate for prime minister, said on February 25 that his party would increase the monthly allowance for the elderly to a flat rate of 1,000 baht instead of the current tiered rate of 600 to 1,000 baht depending on age. The party also promised to build care centres for the elderly and to reduce taxes for companies that hire retired workers.
- Pheu Thai Party
Prommin Lertsuridej, chairman of the Pheu Thai’s policies committee, said the 30-baht universal healthcare programme would be improved to enhance care for the elderly. The party said a new lottery system could include a savings scheme for retirement by using part of the price paid for buying tickets that do not win.
- Democrat Party
The Democrat proposed that it should be compulsory for workers to save for retirement. The party also proposed that workers could withdraw money from their provident funds for buying houses or other assets.
The Democrat proposed the extension of the retirement age from 60 years and improving the healthcare system to better care for the elderly.
- Palang Pracharath Party
The Palang Pracharath is calling for the monthly allowance to be raised to 3,000 baht, 4,000 baht and 5,000 baht for the elderly in their 60s, 70s and 80s.
- Move Forward Party
The party proposed that the monthly allowance for the elderly be raised to 3,000 baht per month by 2027. The party also proposed establishing a system to care for bed-ridden elderly patients, but said most of the costs should be paid by the patients. If it forms the government, it will allocate a monthly budget of 9,000 baht for care of bed-ridden elderly or handicapped people. The budget would be used for hiring caretakers and buying necessary equipment. One caretaker would be shared by two patients.
- Thai Sang Thai Party
Thai Sang Thai promised to gradually raise the monthly allowance for the elderly to 3,000 baht. In its initial stage, it would be applied only to the poor. The party said it would require a budget of up to 420 billion baht to cover all elderly people. The party would encourage workers to join pension funds, targeting an increase from 1.1 million to 5 million.
- Chart Pattanakla Party
The party promised to subsidise businesses that hire retired workers. It will also allocate 50,000 baht per family for home renovations that make it more convenient for elderly people to get around. The party said the budget would be allocated to 4 million families during its first year in office if it wins the election.
- Bhumjaithai Party
The Bhumjaithai will set up a life insurance fund for people who are at least 60 years old. A sick person could get 100,000 and other members of the fund would be able to borrow 20,000 each.
- Chart Thai Pattana Party
Its “Wow Thailand – Wealth Opportunity and Welfare for All” strategy includes a pledge to provide a monthly allowance of 3,000 for elderly and handicapped people.
