Thailand's safety of life, property declines

[KoratCat]

Thailand's safety of life, property declines, says top think tank

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) – The Thai public has enjoyed a higher rate of employment in the first quarter of this year, but the safety of their lives and property has declined due to mounting problems related to drug addiction, according to Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

In addition, a shrinking birthrate is leading to an increased proportion of older persons in society in general, even as inflation is beginning to take a toll on savings and the ability of older persons to care for themselves.

Consequently the NESDB has advised the government to develop a universal savings management system to accommodate workers in their old age in the future.

Speaking of Thai social conditions during the January-March period, NESDB Secretary-General Amphon Kitti-amphon said that more Thais are employed and are earning higher incomes, so that the unemployment rate has been staying as low as 1.6 per cent.

Most jobs are in agriculture since higher rice prices had pushed up wages in the sector.

Nonetheless, these facts don't address the needs of older people and families age and become less care-oriented.

And the quality of education for Thailand's children remains unsatisfactory since the scores of the Ordinary National Education Test (O-NET) achieved by most primary and secondary school children are lower than the set criteria.

Regarding social security, he said, the safety of life, personal physical well-being as well as property among Thais had declined since the narcotics and drug addiction problems had escalated with a surge of 49.4 per cent in drug-related cases and the number of children and youths involving in household and property robberies and narcotics trafficking and use had increased.

Regarding lifestyle and behaviour, the NESDB survey found that spending on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages continued to rise.

One-fifth of smokers and alcohol drinkers are older persons who are more vulnerable to serious illnesses such as lung and liver cancers, and air and noise pollution still pose a threat to people living in all areas of Bangkok.

Over the next two decades, Mr. Amphon said, Thai society will become a society of the aging since the number of newly-born babies continues to decline.

Under such circumstances, the elderly must depend more upon themselves. Their personal savings remain small, he said. (TNA)

MCOT June 9, 2008