By Thai Newsroom Reporters and Amarin TV
AFTER Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reconfirmed today (Jan.9) that the Pheu Thai-led government’s 10,000-baht digital wallet project will be implemented from May as planned, people in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) said they were waiting for the cash handout and hope the government is not giving them false hope.
Mrs. Khiad (pseudonym), 60, a resident of Nong Kae Chang community in Nakhon Ratchasima city said people in her neighbourhood had all heard of the 10,000-baht digital wallet project since the election campaign.
However she does not think the cash giveaway will come through because Prime Minister Srettha and his government first said they would get it on Jan.1 but it has now been put off to May 1.
She now thinks there is a 50:50 chance of getting the cash because it is uncertain whether the government would be able to implement the scheme.
If the cash handout comes through it would help meet expenses but if it does not materialise by May 1 then it would be like being tricked by the government, she said, adding if the government wants to do something it should be sincere about it and hurry up and make it happen just don’t give people false hope.
Meanwhile Mr. Golf (pseudonym), 40, a grilled chicken vendor in this northeastern city, said he does not want to pin hopes on this project because it emerged then disappeared and now has emerged again.
People who work hard all have high hopes because the cash would reduce their financial burden and they could use it to buy raw material or equipment for their trade.
Although there are some restrictions on spending this cash handout it is better than not getting any help at all, he said, adding he is waiting for this hope given by the government to materialise.
Srettha apparently allayed fears that the populist handout campaign might possibly be put off from May amidst legal controversy over the government’s planned legislation to find a sum of 500 billion baht in loan to finance it.
The Council of State has recently reached a conclusion on the legality of the 10,000-baht digital wallet project pertaining to the sought-after loan to fund it whilst the prime minister who chairs the Digital Wallet Policy Steering Committee is to hammer out a difference in opinion with Bank of Thailand governor Sretthaput Suthiwathanarueput shortly.
It remains to be seen whether the 500 billion baht loan could possibly be provided either by domestic financial sources or foreign ones or both.
The prime minister has earlier confirmed that the Pheu Thai-led government plans to repay the loan money with the use of an annual state budget on instalment basis within a four-year period.
The digital wallet project is designed to not only promote domestic consumption on a short-term basis but stimulate local economy and boost the country’s GDP in the long run, according to the prime minister.
An estimated 50 million Thai nationals aged 16 years and over are recipients of the project under which they may spend a maximum of 10,000 baht on goods and services at stores in the boundaries of their home districts in a six-month period, beginning in May.
CAPTION:
A representative image showing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, left, and some Korat residents. Credit: Amarin TV
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