Bangkok 22.10.13: As the Social Development and Human Security Ministry moves to improve the lot of poor and underprivileged people, including people with disabilities, an academic said that a social institute was needed to help boost people's volunteer spirit.

Kitipat Nontapattamadul, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Faculty of Social Administration, said volunteers were required to help the needy. He was speaking at an event to celebrate the National Social Welfare Day and Thai Volunteer Day, presided over by the Social Development Minister Pavena Hongsakul.

Minister Pavena Hongsakul agreed that setting up such an institution would be useful, as she admitted that her ministry was only able to provide limited aid to the needy and that the registration, criteria setting and case-by-case management systems needed to be improved.