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Published on October 2, 2007

 The National Commission of the Elderly will discuss the matter with the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said Assoc Prof Mathana Pharaniramai, a member of the commission.

"I will present the request to the commission, chaired by Paiboon Wattanasiritham, but I think the practice will begin in the period of the next government," Mathana said. 

Wallop Ploytaptim, permanent secretary of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said that even though a pension system is already in place for Government officials and company employees, it does not cover all workers.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by the National Health Foundation (NHF) and the Thailand Research Fund, he said 21 million workers, or 70 per cent of the workforce, are outside the official system and do not have pensions.

"Organisations have to collaborate to push the savings of working-age people and those people should start to save their money when they are young, not at the age of 50," Wallop said.

Khon Kaen University academic Assoc Prof Supawattanakorn Wongtanawut said: "A study shows that 77 per cent of working-age people are ready to join the fund and the Government has to back it soon."

 Chulalongkorn University economist Worawet Suwanrada agreed with the suggestion to set up a national pension system to support those 21 million workers who don't have pensions.

"South Korea had less workers with pensions than Thailand and it set up a national pension system for potential workers. Eventually, in 1999, every worker was in the system."

Dr Ladda Damrikarnlert, chief of the NHF's elderly research project, said Thailand will face problems with its increasing elderly population and the situation will be serious in 2023.

The seminar, held at Louis' Tavern Hotel, was aimed at sharing ideas on the formation of a pension system. The citizens at the meeting also urged the Government to allow people to participate in the formation of the system.

Wannapa Phetdee

 The Nation