The government’s legal advisers have issued a very polite warning about the massive borrowing plan which is necessary if the ruling Pheu Thai Party is to keep its controversial election promise. Problem is “being nice” can always be misinterpreted and that is exactly what happened over the past few days.

 

The Council of State’s opinion on the Bt500 billion borrowing bill was first considered a nod but then not quite so when the respectful wordings were carefully scrutinised. The advisory body actually warned that the government must strictly comply with the Fiscal Discipline Act, citing Section 53, which states that a loan bill can be issued only when there is a crisis or an urgent necessity, and Section 57, which states that the borrowing must be spent on a plan or project which is economically or socially worthwhile.

 

More sections of the Fiscal Discipline are coming into play as more and more experts look into the Council of State’s words and complications of the digital wallet programme. Those sections basically demand absolute prudence regarding how the state deals with its own or borrowed money.

 

In a matter of hours, government leaders have gone from “See? The borrowing bill has been approved” to “The Council of State’s job description is about giving opinions, not greenlights”. But Jatuporn Prompan, a former Pheu Thai street warrior who has become the party’s sworn enemy, insisted it was an unmistakably “No” said in the most covert way.

 

By Tulsathit Taptim

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-12

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

I cannot b relief the stupidity and complexity of this 'bribe.' Why have it digital adding massively to the costs, involves other players who will have a cut of the scheme eg the company that negotiates with the shopkeepers, the insane distance from shop rules, the un sane complexity of having old people, like me, learn about digital wallets, fill in forms etc. Mail out a check, idiots, which might stimulate GDP.

2 minutes ago, retarius said:

I cannot b relief the stupidity and complexity of this 'bribe.' Why have it digital adding massively to the costs, involves other players who will have a cut of the scheme eg the company that negotiates with the shopkeepers, the insane distance from shop rules, the un sane complexity of having old people, like me, learn about digital wallets, fill in forms etc. Mail out a check, idiots, which might stimulate GDP.

Calm down, this is for Thais only

2 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Calm down, this is for Thais only

I know it's only for Thais but I am offended by such stupidity and naked corruption.

5 minutes ago, retarius said:

I know it's only for Thais but I am offended by such stupidity and naked corruption.

Don't be, it's rampant!  

13 minutes ago, retarius said:

I cannot b relief the stupidity and complexity of this 'bribe.' Why have it digital adding massively to the costs, involves other players who will have a cut of the scheme eg the company that negotiates with the shopkeepers, the insane distance from shop rules, the un sane complexity of having old people, like me, learn about digital wallets, fill in forms etc. Mail out a check, idiots, which might stimulate GDP.

 

  Well, yeah, it sounds bad when you say it like that.  

The Council of State has given Srettha just the right amount of rope.

 

What he chooses to do with it is up to him.

 

 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

The Council of State’s opinion on the Bt500 billion borrowing bill was first considered a nod but then not quite so when the respectful wordings were carefully scrutinised. The advisory body actually warned that the government must strictly comply with the Fiscal Discipline Act, citing Section 53, which states that a loan bill can be issued only when there is a crisis or an urgent necessity, and Section 57, which states that the borrowing must be spent on a plan or project which is economically or socially worthwhile.

It's all in the small print... what's Thailand without a fiasco.

17 hours ago, webfact said:

the Fiscal Discipline Act, citing Section 53, which states that a loan bill can be issued only when there is a crisis or an urgent necessity, and Section 57, which states that the borrowing must be spent on a plan or project which is economically or socially worthwhile.

I guess that rules out vote buying?

Amazingly, or not maybe, this was spun by one of the many deputy Pork Pie Party's PMs as a green light for the hand out. The CC was quick to refute this and to state it was nothing of the sort. Silk purse/sow's ear syndrome.

17 hours ago, JoePai said:

Calm down, this is for Thais only

Not quite.

It will be paid for from taxes gathered from people who live in this country which includes expats.

I see a link between the digital wallet and tax rule changes.

Section 57 can be used for a variety beans noddle's at a push 🤔

18 hours ago, JoePai said:

Calm down, this is for Thais only

 

Which is absolutely ridiculous.  10,000 baht spent a non-Thai produces just as much economic stimulus as 10,000 baht spent by a Thai adult.  More people spending = more economic stimulus.

Or is this really just evidence that it's an electoral bribe since non-Thais can't vote?

18 hours ago, retarius said:

I know it's only for Thais but I am offended by such stupidity and naked corruption.

 

mate, tip of the iceberg, if you feel that strongly thailand is not the place for you