Cabinet extends measures for low-income earners
BANGKOK, Jan 10 – Thailand’s Cabineet on Tuesday approved the extension of free bus and train services to help low-income earners through end of April, according to a government spokesperson.
Deputy Spokesperson Anuttama Amornvivat told a news briefing that extending free non-air conditioned bus and third-class train services, which are due to expire Jan 15, through April 30 is aimed at reducing the cost of living for people with low incomes.
Under the free transport measures, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide 800 buses per day for free rides while the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will run 164 rail trips daily.
Ms Anuttama explained that the measures will cost the government some Bt1.17 billion.
The measures were initiated during the administration of the late former prime minister Samak Sundaravej to assist low-income earners in 2008.
