Wealth inequality becomes a focus of the election campaign

ThaigerPublished: 09:16, 22 December 2018| Updated: 09:16, 22 December 2018

201 1 minute read

Wealth inequality becomes a focus of the election campaign

GRAPHICS: Karnjana Lao – The Nation

Thailand is among the countries with the largest gap between the rich and the poor, with a disproportionate slice of the national wealth and income going to the wealthiest 1 per cent of the population.

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Inequality has been on the rise across the globe. Economic gaps have continued to grow as the richest few amass unprecedented levels of wealth at the expense of the poor and middle class. Thailand is among the countries with the largest gap between the rich and the poor, with a disproportionate slice of the national wealth and income going to the wealthiest 1 per cent of the population.

Wealth inequality becomes a focus of the election campaign | News by Thaiger

Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai and Democrats have been focussing on the ‘wealth gap’ as a theme in their electioneering, leading up to the February 24 poll next year. Both parties, traditionally political rivals, are slamming the current Thai government for economic shortfalls and accuse it of widening the national income gap.

The Democrat and Pheu Thai parties both unveiled their election platforms and key candidates for the national elections, with a focus on economic issues and state welfare.

Former PM and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva says his party had six policies to help low-income citizens, while Pheu Thai’s top candidates – Chatchart Sitthiphan and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan – slammed the outgoing military government’s economic policies, saying they had badly hurt middle- and low-income groups.