Foreign business leaders in Thailand are urging the government for political stability and transparency as they roll out stimulus packages to boost the country’s economy. The people interviewed support the “digital wallet” scheme but emphasise the need for transparency in its implementation.

 

The new Srettha Thavisin government is planning to launch a 10,000 baht digital wallet stimulus for all Thais over 18 next year.

 

Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag, Chairwoman of the Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of transparency in implementing the digital wallet scheme, which aims to enhance domestic purchasing power. However, concerns have been raised about the funding source for the scheme, which requires 560 billion baht.

 

By Peter Roche

 

Full story: PhuketGO 2023-09-28

 

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Headline is : "Prominent foreigners call for clarification on labour laws and new stimulus packages."

 

However the full report seems to have missed more details on the labour laws item.

Unfortunate because this subject is interesting / important for many foreigners.

 

Better hurry up and get that foreign income tax in place.  Money for the digital wallet scheme has to come from somewhere.

The digital wallet won’t happen.

 

do people not know how populism actually works???

8 minutes ago, bob smith said:

The digital wallet won’t happen.

 

do people not know how populism actually works???

Promise free handouts, then backtrack with excuses, don't hand out anything, or hand out something that amounts to almost nothing. If the politician in question is lucky, he can blame the lack of implementation on his opponents. Rinse and repeat.

"...concerns have been raised about the funding source for the scheme, which requires 560 billion baht. "

Just have everyone in government above junior filing clerk donate contents of brown envelopes for 2 weeks. That ought to fill the coffers.

Srettha definitely doesn't give a toss what farangs think of his party's policies or even what Thais think for that matter.  The policies were thought up by Thaksin's spin doctor team with minimal or zero input from him and he has to do what he is told by his boss or face the axe, due to lack of support from Pheua Thai, which will happen anyway when Ung Ing ready to take over.  Meanwhile, his reward for toeing the party line will be snout to the trough for as long as it lasts.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreign business leaders in Thailand are urging the government for political stability and transparency as they roll out stimulus packages to boost the country’s economy. The people interviewed support the “digital wallet” scheme but emphasise the need for transparency in its implementation.

Foreign business leaders don't give a rats about the 10,000 baht digital wallet.

Who really are these foreign business leaders that might be questioning such policies? 

I want names and their business affiliations.....or it doesn't exist. 

 

A story that is created to misdirect or distract?

Clarification.......Clarification.......You dont need no stinking Clarification..

 

Just in case anyone wonders, where 560 billion Thai Baht will be coming from, it is apparently the GSB (government savings bank) and not the government directly. Worst case scenario is to send this bank down the drain (as so happened with 56 out of 57 finance companies owned by commercial banks back in 1997). 

The ultimate payee will be the tax payer and the digital cash (I heard as of 16 and not 18) will be have to spent near the residence of the lucky fellow. So vote buying gets a new interpretation and most likely the money can be used in an eliterian oligarch-owned sales outlet of fast moving consumer goods. 7/11 and similar spring to mind ......

This country is never short of surprises, really! 

9 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Promise free handouts, then backtrack with excuses, don't hand out anything, or hand out something that amounts to almost nothing. If the politician in question is lucky, he can blame the lack of implementation on his opponents. Rinse and repeat.

Well said. Truth is they offered a very large aount of cash, more than they could raise. politicians / liars at work.

2020 - rice

2021 - box of tinned food and soap

2022 - free weed

2023 - free money

 

More importantly might be to address the ever-growing draconian and unnecessary bureaucracy attached to so-call resident/long term visas. 

 

As in: Pre-Taksin era. 

On 9/28/2023 at 10:39 AM, scorecard said:

Headline is : "Prominent foreigners call for clarification on labour laws and new stimulus packages."

 

However the full report seems to have missed more details on the labour laws item.

Unfortunate because this subject is interesting / important for many foreigners.

 

Just announced by the ministry, this plan has been scrapped.

On 9/28/2023 at 10:14 AM, webfact said:

The new Srettha Thavisin government is planning to launch a 10,000 baht digital wallet stimulus for all Thais over 18 next year.

After which the resulting spike in inflation is going to wipe out Thais who are under water with debt and struggling to make ends meet day-to-day.