Economists are concerned about the country's economic health, given that lower revenues mean lower state investment and a narrower chance to pump money into the economic system and reboot it.

Business operators are also worried, particularly those who own shops. From their experience, whenever government revenue is off target, they have to welcome officers from the Revenue Department who come and check whether the shop has properly paid taxes.

One of my colleagues was informed by a street vendor who sells Thai desserts in Paknam Market that an officer arrived to count her revenues. The officer then concluded that her income was high enough to be taxed.

To laymen, revenues going wide of the target is an indicator of the nation's poor health: corporate and individual taxpayers are earning less and paying fewer taxes. Certainly, this means the chances of getting a big pay rise are small.

But in a world of paradoxes, some are undeterred by this news: the lucky 120 guys who received a very generous pay rise yesterday.

The Cabinet approved a special pay boost to the 120 military officers who work for the Council for National Security (CNS). They represent almost 30 per cent of the 423 officers working for CNS.

Hmm, inside of a year, these men have seen their pay increase in two steps, in accordance with the state's salary-increase formula.

Given the sluggish economy, this is such a fortunate event, even while civil servants and private-company employees are fretting about their income.

A recent survey by Grant Thornton International showed that this year, Thai employees should not expect an average pay increase beyond 3 per cent.

In this world of paradoxes, it is known that these military men enjoy higher pay towards the last day of their service. In this way, their pensions are higher.

It's paradoxical to hear that the Cabinet approved the pay rise because these men do their jobs with honesty, diligence and dedication. They work on weekdays and weekends.

Hmm, all employees are now working honestly, diligently and dedicatedly. So they, too, should be entitled to a raise. But too bad, they work only on weekdays. Maybe that explains why they are less lucky than those special 120 military guys.

achara_d@nationgroup.com