Future of 10,000-baht digital wallet in doubt after PM dismissal

[snoop1130]

 

Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal as prime minister cast significant doubt over the future of the much-publicised digital wallet scheme, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the Cabinet providing conflicting messages about the flagship policy’s direction.

 

Concerns are also mounting among the public regarding the potential misuse of personal information collected for the 10,000-baht handout.

 

A constitutional court order on Wednesday led to Srettha’s dismissal, which in turn resulted in the entire Cabinet being relegated to caretaker status. Now, the fate of the digital wallet policy lies in the hands of the new government under Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat indicated yesterday, August 15, that any adjustments to the digital handout scheme would require the new Cabinet’s approval. This statement came in response to reports that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is widely seen as the de facto leader of Pheu Thai, had told coalition party leaders that the digital handout scheme might be scrapped.

 

An urgent meeting at Thaksin’s Bangkok residence was reportedly held shortly after the constitutional court decided to dismiss Srettha, who had appointed ex-convict Pichit Chuenban to the Cabinet. This meeting was allegedly convened to discuss the nomination of Chaikasem as the new prime minister.

 

In parliament, Democrat Party MP Romtham Kham-urak expressed concerns for the public who had registered for the handout, particularly about the safety of their personal information if the scheme is discontinued. He called on acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to ensure that the data remains secure.

 

Scheme’s future

 

Caretaker Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, when questioned about the scheme’s future, deferred the decision to the incoming government. Pakorn Nilprapan, Secretary-General of the Council of State, stated that the scheme should be paused following Srettha’s dismissal.

 

Despite these uncertainties, Pheu Thai Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong insisted that the digital money handout would continue, emphasising the party’s steadfast commitment to its flagship policy. He noted that none of Pheu Thai’s coalition partners opposed the policy.

 

Public sentiment, however, appears to be waning. Many individuals interviewed expressed scepticism about the scheme’s continuation under a new prime minister. Nakhon Ratchasima resident Lert Abphakwan doubted the scheme would ever materialise, while motorcycle taxi driver Arnon Inpanpanao in Korat felt the handout should proceed but believed that most people would prefer cash over digital money.

 

“I feel bad for those who bought new smartphones just to register for the digital wallet scheme.”

 

In Buriram, residents like 59 year old, Ben and 61 year old, Ya voiced concerns about the scheme’s future and the security of their data. They had hoped the scheme would alleviate their household debt.

 

The 46 year old, Samrerng Rodthong, from Khon Kaen’s Mueang district, believed that the scheme would vanish along with the former Thai premier.

 

In Sisaket, 52 year old, Thatchanok Pimthong, from Wang Hin district, criticised the scheme as being more beneficial to large businesses than small vendors like herself. She commented policies may come across as attractive, but they are useless if they are not practical.

 

As the political landscape shifts, the uncertainty surrounding the digital wallet scheme leaves many questioning its future and the potential impact on their personal data and financial relief, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Sarishti Arora

Picture courtesy of aljazeera.com official website

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-16

 

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[MikeandDow]

At this moment in time nothing can be said about the scheme it is up to the new PM and cabinet until she give her speech on the governments policy's its all just speculation  but in all reality  do you think Thais would ever get the 10000baht never !!!!!

[Pouatchee]

30 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

In Buriram, residents like 59 year old, Ben and 61 year old, Ya voiced concerns about the scheme’s future and the security of their data. They had hoped the scheme would alleviate their household debt.

 

 

jesus, combined that does not even amount to 1k dollars. what are they going to do now? their futures are ruined

[MikeandDow]

3 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

 

jesus, combined that does not even amount to 1k dollars. what are they going to do now? their futures are ruined

yes you are correct, this is how corruption works all for the hiso  and for the poor !!!!!!

[John Drake]

31 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

 

jesus, combined that does not even amount to 1k dollars. what are they going to do now? their futures are ruined

 

People get in a desperate situation, especially for medical treatments. The worst part of it is that even if they get the wallet money, they're forced to spend it in a limited area, as I understand it, and there aren't many places other than a 7 Eleven or something like it around.

[MikeandDow]

As  other posters have pointed out there is a very great danger in this wallet money, if given to alcoholics, drug user,and gamblers, could be lots of violence within the family s 

[DonniePeverley]

Why are they giving people 10,000 baht ?

[pegman]

Political suicide if this is stopped

[pegman]

23 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Why are they giving people 10,000 baht ?

To stimulate the economy and help poor people out

[watchcat]

7 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

it is up to the new PM and cabinet until she give her speech on the governments policy's

 

Meaning what her father instruct her to say.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal as prime minister cast significant doubt over the future of the much-publicised digital wallet scheme, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the Cabinet providing conflicting messages about the flagship policy’s direction.

It was an election promise to garner votes.

If they cancel it now that is breaking a campaign promise... but hey...

PTP are masters at doing that...

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

 

jesus, combined that does not even amount to 1k dollars. what are they going to do now? their futures are ruined

To some 10K is a life saver.... don't judge everyone 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Why are they giving people 10,000 baht ?

It was a cleverly thought out marketing bribe to garner votes, masked as a short term economic boost for the country

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, pegman said:

Political suicide if this is stopped

Only if the lethargic population who are about to get shafted once again actually wake up, instead of pulling their lower garments down and bending over.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, pegman said:

To stimulate the economy and help poor people out

Allegedly.

[smedly]

election now

 

what a pantomime 

 

this is just shocking

 

what a cluster # this country truely is 

 

they keep talking about HUBS ........i have listened to the hub thing for 20 years and what hubs have actually happened ......... zero, infact thailand is the biggest hub for BS bar none, the hub of talking hubs ........ OMG...............children

[Henryford]

3 hours ago, pegman said:

Political suicide if this is stopped

 

How is it suicide? What can the people do? Vote for another Party, like Forward? I don't think the people were ever going to get the 10,000. Just another election promise.

[RichardColeman]

Money will be paid out maybe to those helping the chess pieces move around the board

[Pouatchee]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

To some 10K is a life saver.... don't judge everyone 

 

if it is 'household debt' per se, how will the digital wallet help them? it was not meant for this, was it? only thing comes to mind is they already had a plan to sell it. no?

[Danderman123]

14 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

At this moment in time nothing can be said about the scheme it is up to the new PM and cabinet until she give her speech on the governments policy's its all just speculation  but in all reality  do you think Thais would ever get the 10000baht never !!!!!

It's dead, Jim.

[MikeandDow]

1 minute ago, Danderman123 said:

It's dead, Jim.

And you have a crystal ball if so give me the lotto numbers

[john donson]

new elections? and make it illegal to promote vote buying

[nakhonandy]

23 hours ago, john donson said:

new elections? and make it illegal to promote vote buying

Highly unlikely regarding elections.

As for the vote buying, that won't change, it happens at village level upwards.

[MikeandDow]

12 minutes ago, nakhonandy said:

Highly unlikely regarding elections.

As for the vote buying, that won't change, it happens at village level upwards.

If corruption is not stamp out Thailand will always be a backward country ruled by depots

[Celsius]

They should give what they promised to people.

[MikeandDow]

7 minutes ago, Celsius said:

They should give what they promised to people.

They are, She promised to do her duty to the best of her ability, show loyalty to the royal institution and act with honesty for the utmost benefit of the public and the nation.

 

but if you mean the 10000baht hand out, no chance
not sure it was a wise policy  would cause a lot of violence in family's  
 

[nakhonandy]

2 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

If corruption is not stamp out Thailand will always be a backward country ruled by depots

Prepare for a long wait before corruption is eradicated. 

[connda]

Classic Bait and Switch.

Political Billboards all over Thailand during last election:
VOTE FOR US AND WE'LL GIVE YOU 10,000 THB IF WE WIN!!! 

Reality:
Dumb ignorant suckers!  Let's do it again next election!!! 

[connda]

7 minutes ago, connda said:

Classic Bait and Switch.

Political Billboards all over Thailand during last election:
VOTE FOR US AND WE'LL GIVE YOU 10,000 THB IF WE WIN!!! 

Reality:
Dumb ignorant suckers!  Let's do it again next election!!! 

"Hey - I know Tony!  The next time let's tell the dumb buffalos we'll give them 20,000 THB!"  

 

 

 

 

[MikeandDow]

The whole 10000baht policy needs to be re-assessed which i believe she is proposing, the 10000baht give away would causes lots of violence within thai family's