THAILAND

Women's fund will result in more debt than development, say critics

Spectrum, Tunya Sukpanich, Published on 01/04/2012

» It was one of the Pheu Thai Party's flagship policies _ a massive 7.7 billion baht National Development Fund for Women, ostensibly to redress gender inequality. In practice, however, the fund has become a lightning rod for controversy with critics contending that its aims are too vague, its management not transparent, registration requirements too onerous and that it is more likely to result in crippling debt for women than greater opportunities. They also question whether the move is merely a Pheu Thai tactic to reward and bolster support in rural areas.