Pros and cons of help

Although the press views the measures as helping to cushion the impact of high oil prices, they are also seen as short-term oriented and politically motivated.

Thai Rath

The paper's article entitled "Don't stop at short-term vote campaign" said the government's announcement to implement six measures to help cushion the burden from rising prices over the next six months was hailed by the public. Indeed, the measures -  including the reduction of cooking gas prices, free tap water, free electricity and free bus fares - are seen as helping all levels of people. Lower-income groups are likely to benefit from the measures, in spite of criticism that the incentives will only work in the short-term

However, the incentives may also discourage people from working harder, leaving them to wait for the assistance from the government. The measures may distort oil prices. Most importantly, the government will have to set aside a huge budget to finance this programme.

Some criticised the measures as a desperate effort by the government to extend its life span amidst strong pressure against its stability. Thai Rath said the government might have a hidden agenda and it may be prepared to dissolve the House and call an election if it's not possible to hang on any longer. Therefore, the six measures are considered an advance political campaign, or a kind of legal vote-buying tactic with the government using more than Bt50 billion of public money to score popular votes ahead of the election.

The measures are permitted because the law says that MP candidates cannot make promises to provide benefits to voters from the date when a general election is announced until the election date itself.

Some members of the Election Commission interpret the law as favouring the government and suggest that the spending of the government's fiscal budget to please voters can be considered as a type of vote-buying. 

Thai Rath said that the six measures can be considered a "grand sale" campaign because it promises free benefits to voters. The populist measure may provide protection from negative economic effects only in the short term but will not solve the problems at their root. Therefore, Thai Rath said the government should not stop at the six-point anti-poverty policy.

Thai Rath summed up that the government should not let the critics win, because some critics say the government is good only at implementing short-term policies ahead of expected elections. The Samak government should prove these critics wrong by showing them that the administration is also capable of implementing policies to solve the economic problems in the medium and long haul.

Khao Sod

Khao Sod's editorial piece referred to the same topic. It said the measures have received both criticism and applause. Thus, the government should listen to both views and adjust the policy to make it respond better to the economic woes. Khao Sod said the government has to have an open mind when it comes to the well-being of the public in order to ensure the effectiveness of the package.

For instance, some critics said the poor in rural areas would barely benefit from the measures. Some suggested that instead of providing free bus fares, the government should have cut bus fares across the board. Besides this, the government should vigorously continue its energy efficiency campaign in spite of the oil subsidy.

Khao Sod said the recommendations and suggestions should be well-heeded because they are beneficial to the majority of the people.