The policy of mass cash transfers was one of the campaign slogans of the centrist Pheu Thai Party (For Thais), which came to power in the Asian country in the summer. The aim is to stimulate the economy by giving the equivalent of over a thousand Dollars to 50 million people, encouraging them to spend more and thus helping local producers, shops, and small businesses. Under the influence of opposition criticism, Prime Minister Srettha slightly reduced the initially planned scale of the program, which was originally intended to cover 56 million people. Income limits and savings limits were introduced. Ultimately, anyone who is at least 16 years old, earns less than 70,000 baht per month, and has less than 500,000 baht in their bank account will be eligible for the transfer.
I know that this policy will have positive and also some negative effects, but it is good to know that it is targeted at low-income earners. At least it will meet some of their basic needs. It will also create employment opportunities because businesses will enjoy high patronage which could lead to an increase in profit maximization. The only problem with such policies is implementation. In some cases, they are marred by corruption, tribalism, and nepotism. But if it is well implemented, it will improve the standard of living of citizens for a while.
The money is intended to reach the broad masses of the population exclusively in electronic form, through an e-wallet available via the government application used by millions of Thai citizens. Citizens will not be able to convert the virtual wallet contents into cash, and the funds will need to be spent within six months of receiving them.
The time frame for the use of money is also ideal to avoid saving or hoarding these funds. It will help to stimulate the economy within a period and the government will afterward roll out control measures to tackle inflation.
The authorities also want to control how the money is spent. Recipients of the government program will not be allowed to use the received funds for debt repayment, bill payment, tuition fees, gas and petrol purchases, gold or gemstones, internet products and services, alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana.
There is a need to control the money that will be spent to avoid waste. Spending money on cigarettes and alcohol is a waste because it has little impact on the people. it is better to spend the money on food, clothing, and shelter. I would have suggested that the spending be limited to locally produced goods to stimulate the local industry.