A proposal to distribute handouts totalling $14bn has ignited a months-long dispute between Thailand’s new leader and the country’s central bank governor over a crucial question: whether south-east Asia’s second-largest economy is in crisis.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said that “people are suffering” and high interest rates are damaging the economy. He is urging parliament to approve a plan to give one-off payments of 10,000 baht ($280) to about 50mn low-income citizens via a digital wallet.
The handouts — a cornerstone campaign pledge for Srettha’s party — are needed to spur spending, support business and jump-start an economic recovery, according to the prime minister.
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