Stipend fiasco reveals flawsFinance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith made a timely move to intervene in cases of elderly people who are inadvertently indebted to the state for accepting monthly living allowances for years without being aware that they are ineligible. The government says those receiving a state pension or special pension are not eligible for the elderly allowance. However, government agencies insisted they have to take back the elderly allowance, or they may be guilty of violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code which concerns dereliction of duty. Mr Arkhom said he believed that everyone who reaches 60 should be eligible for the elderly allowance. According to the regulations, allowance recipients must not receive other state benefits.

Source: Bangkok Post January 27, 2021 21:33 UTC