Campaigners Urge Handout Recipients to Avoid Alcohol Amid Payout Uncertainty

[webfact]

FILE photo

 

Anti-drunk driving advocates are calling on recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout to avoid spending the funds on alcohol, warning that such purchases could lead to accidents and serious injuries.

 

Phattarabhandhu Krissana, chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving, emphasized the importance of using the handout for essential needs or investments. He noted that spending the money on alcohol could result in accidents, potentially causing disabilities for both recipients and others.

 

The network, along with the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation, is urging its members who receive the handout to allocate part of the funds for paying vehicle taxes, which help finance victim protection programs. Phattarabhandhu shared that some of the network’s 15,000 members had already received the handout during the first distribution phase, providing much-needed support during tough economic times.

Thailand's government is currently disbursing the 10,000-baht payments to 12.4 million state welfare cardholders and 2.1 million people with disabilities. Priority has been given to vulnerable groups, with the final wave of payments expected on Monday.

 

Originally conceived as part of a broader “digital wallet” stimulus program, the cash handout was intended to cover 45 million Thais aged 16 and over. However, concerns over funding have cast uncertainty on how many more people will receive the money and how much will be distributed in future rounds.

 

A government source revealed that while the program is expected to continue, the second phase of handouts may see a reduction to 5,000 baht per person. This decrease is being considered to free up resources for flood victim relief, which has become a growing priority.

 

The 2025 fiscal budget earmarked 152.7 billion baht for the handout scheme, but a portion of that may be redirected to the central fund to assist with flood recovery efforts.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul noted that the spike in cash withdrawals following the program’s launch highlights the financial struggles of many recipients. He expressed optimism that their spending would help stimulate the economy.

 

However, opposition MP Sirikanya Tansakun of the People’s Party criticized the reduced scale of the program, arguing that slashing the total budget from 500 billion baht to 145 billion baht would fall short of significantly boosting GDP

.

“Economic activity has not picked up as expected, and many business owners report that business remains slow despite the handout,” she added, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-09-30

 

 

[Snackbar]

Ludicrous inflationary madness

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Anti-drunk driving advocates are calling on recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout to avoid spending the funds on alcohol, warning that such purchases could lead to accidents and serious injuries.

People will do what they normally do... 

[jippytum]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

FILE photo

 

Anti-drunk driving advocates are calling on recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout to avoid spending the funds on alcohol, warning that such purchases could lead to accidents and serious injuries.

 

Phattarabhandhu Krissana, chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving, emphasized the importance of using the handout for essential needs or investments. He noted that spending the money on alcohol could result in accidents, potentially causing disabilities for both recipients and others.

 

The network, along with the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation, is urging its members who receive the handout to allocate part of the funds for paying vehicle taxes, which help finance victim protection programs. Phattarabhandhu shared that some of the network’s 15,000 members had already received the handout during the first distribution phase, providing much-needed support during tough economic times.

 

Thailand's government is currently disbursing the 10,000-baht payments to 12.4 million state welfare cardholders and 2.1 million people with disabilities. Priority has been given to vulnerable groups, with the final wave of payments expected on Monday.

 

Originally conceived as part of a broader “digital wallet” stimulus program, the cash handout was intended to cover 45 million Thais aged 16 and over. However, concerns over funding have cast uncertainty on how many more people will receive the money and how much will be distributed in future rounds.

 

A government source revealed that while the program is expected to continue, the second phase of handouts may see a reduction to 5,000 baht per person. This decrease is being considered to free up resources for flood victim relief, which has become a growing priority.

 

The 2025 fiscal budget earmarked 152.7 billion baht for the handout scheme, but a portion of that may be redirected to the central fund to assist with flood recovery efforts.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul noted that the spike in cash withdrawals following the program’s launch highlights the financial struggles of many recipients. He expressed optimism that their spending would help stimulate the economy.

 

However, opposition MP Sirikanya Tansakun of the People’s Party criticized the reduced scale of the program, arguing that slashing the total budget from 500 billion baht to 145 billion baht would fall short of significantly boosting GDP

.

“Economic activity has not picked up as expected, and many business owners report that business remains slow despite the handout,” she added, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-09-30

 

 

They have waited a long time after they voted to receive the handout. 

They don't need a lecture on how to spend it. 

[dinsdale]

This is just more proselytizing from the anti everything gang. Anti everything other than the Royals and Buddhism.

[HaoleBoy]

One lady from Roi Et said there were 5 people her family each to got 10k THB - grandmother and her 4 adult children.  They are having a big party with a lot of drinking (no driving) this whole week.  This is a bigwindfall for them.

 

Didn't ask if they were all going to vote Pheu Thai Party next time ....

[StandardIssue]

The politicians more than likely know exactly where the majority of this money will be spent and, if they were smart, made preparations to make investments in or setup business to take advantage of this influx of cash into the economy. The gap between rich and poor is huge here and ever widening in most parts of the world. The rich here run the country as is the case in the majority of world societies.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Hic! ....Wha' wuz zat? ....Hic!

[BangkokReady]

10 hours ago, HaoleBoy said:

One lady from Roi Et said there were 5 people her family each to got 10k THB - grandmother and her 4 adult children.  They are having a big party with a lot of drinking (no driving) this whole week.  This is a bigwindfall for them.

 

How much of their windfall will be left?

[Enzian]

This scheme is an early step on the way to a Universal Basic Income (being paid to simply exist, since robots will do all the work and no one needs their brainless asses anyway). Combined with a cashless society where the government knows every detail.

[Old Curmudgeon]

8 minutes ago, Enzian said:

an early step on the way to a Universal Basic Income (being paid to simply exist, ... Combined with a cashless society where the government knows every detail.

 

Good summary.   Clearly, @Enzian understands the situation.

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

How much of their windfall will be left?

 

Does it really matter? This will be one helluva party! 

[BangkokReady]

12 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Does it really matter? This will be one helluva party! 

 

It doesn't really matter if they blow most of the windfall celebrating their windfall.  It's their money, after all.  But it would be a little ironic.