The Role of Public Policy in Reducing Economic Inequality in Thai Society

Abstract

This research article aimed to 1) explore the development and trends of public policies aimed at reducing economic inequality in Thailand, 2) analyze the roles and effectiveness of those policies in addressing economic inequality across various dimensions, and 3) propose sustainable policy approaches that could realistically lessen economic inequality. A qualitative research approach was used, grounded in the concept of distributive justice by Rawls and ideas from welfare state theory. The target data consisted of 45 documents, including academic papers, policy reports, and government publications, selected through purposive sampling. The main research tool was a document analysis framework adapted from Bowen and Yin, and content analysis was employed along with narrative interpretation. Findings revealed that, first, the development of public policies in Thailand has mostly focused on short-term relief measures, with limited integration into long-term structural planning. Second, many policies tend to focus more on alleviating hardship than closing deeper systemic gaps—often lacking proper monitoring, evaluation, and public participation mechanisms. Third, it is recommended that future policy design should be flexible, tailored to local contexts, and include fairness indicators—not just overall income measures—as part of the evaluation process. This research contributes practical knowledge for designing more targeted and effective public policies, improving policy administration, and supporting long-term welfare state reform efforts in Thailand.