The Thai government on Tuesday handed out “magical vitamins” to couples registering their marriages in a bid to boost the birth rate, while granting marriage certificates made from gold to a lucky few.
The public health ministry was handing out 600 packages of iron and folic acid supplements, dubbed “magical vitamins” by the authorities, to couples registering their marriages in Bangrak district in Bangkok.
“Women planning to get pregnant should consume iron and folic acid at least once a week for 12 weeks,’’ Vachira Pengjan, director-general of the health department, said.
According to Vachira, Thai women have been getting married less often and at a later age over the last few decades, causing the population growth rate to slump from 2.7 per cent in 1970 to 0.4 per cent 2015.
“The supplements have also been distributed in hospitals across the country,’’ the health department said, with a total of 6 million pills given out.