Quantifying fair income distribution in Thailand

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301693
• Publication Date: 2024-04-04T17:42:02Z
• Authors: Thitithep Sitthiyot; Kanyarat Holasut
• Keywords: Income shares; Comprehensive income

Given a vast concern about high income inequality in Thailand as opposed to empirical findings around the world showing people’s preference for fair over unfair equality, it is therefore important examine whether distribution past three decades fair, and what should be. To quantitatively measure distribution, this study employs fairness benchmarks that are derived from distributions of athletes’ salaries professional sports which satisfy concepts distributive justice procedural justice, no-envy principle allocation, general consensus or international norm criterion meaningful benchmark. By using data on quintile shares Gini index National Social Economic Development Council, finds that, throughout period 1988 2021, Thai earners bottom 20%, second top 20% receive more than whereas those third fourth less shares. Provided there infinite combinations can have same value but only one them regarded demonstrates use practical guideline designing policies with an aim achieve Thailand. Moreover, comparative analysis conducted by employing method estimating optimal (fair) representing feasible equality order provide alternative recommendation characterizing