Thai Constitutional Court Dismisses Challenge to PM's Handout Policy

[webfact]

FILE photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

In a significant legal decision, Thailand's Constitutional Court has dismissed a challenge against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's controversial handout policy. The complaint, filed by activist Sonthiya Sawasdee, was rejected on the grounds that he wasn’t directly impacted by the policy.

 

Sonthiya's appeal centred around the alleged deviation from the Pheu Thai Party's electoral promise regarding the distribution of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme. The party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, had pledged during their campaign to provide a digital currency, amounting to 10,000 baht, to Thai citizens aged 16 and above via a digital platform. The intended beneficiaries were estimated at approximately 50 million, with a stipulation to use the funds locally within their districts.

 

However, the government's actual implementation diverged from the original plan. Instead of digital disbursement, the policy delivered 10,000 baht to specific vulnerable groups, such as the needy and disabled, in cash form. Plans are underway to extend this handout to also include the elderly, marking a significant shift from the campaign's digital promise.

 

Sonthiya contended that the move breached the initial commitment and called for the court to consider suspending the Prime Minister if the case proceeded. However, the court's verdict articulated that the policy complaint appeared more as a political disagreement with the Pheu Thai Party rather than a matter of legal breach impacting Sonthiya directly.

The court's decision underscores the complex integration of political pledges and their legal standing, drawing attention to the flexibility often required in policy execution post-election. This judgment not only reinforces the autonomy of elected officials in adapting policies but also highlights the legal system's role in delineating the scope of politically motivated litigation versus actionable legal grievances.

 

As the government moves forward with its cash handout policy expansion to other qualifying demographics, this ruling may serve as a robust precedent for future policy-related challenges, encapsulating the nuanced balance between political expectations and practical governance realities.

 

For citizens, the pathway remains clear: the continuation of cash handouts may, in fact, align more closely with immediate needs, especially in challenging economic climates. The outcome also points to the broader context of policy adaptation amid shifting socioeconomic landscapes, where political leadership must walk the tightrope of fulfilling campaign promises while pragmatically responding to the national context, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-18

 

 

[ikke1959]

THere was i time a handout for the very ones in need, but nothing anymore , only promises next month, next month and next month with a result that it will be cancelled eventually... This is Thailand.. Many Thai people are complaining about this promise and the delay

[connda]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, the government's actual implementation diverged from the original plan. Instead of digital disbursement, the policy delivered 10,000 baht to specific vulnerable groups, such as the needy and disabled, in cash form. Plans are underway to extend this handout to also include the elderly, marking a significant shift from the campaign's digital promise.

Lessons Learned?

Politicians are all liars, and this 10K THB scheme was at best a scam to secure votes by promising to buy votes using public funds if the correct party was put into power.  So the correct party was put into power anddddd................  

"Fooled Ya Suckers!  Hey - vote for us again in the next election and we'll give you 20,000 THB each!" 

[klauskunkel]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

For citizens, the pathway remains clear: the continuation of cash handouts may, in fact, align more closely with immediate needs, especially in challenging economic climates.

Cash handouts may, in fact, also align with the government's traditional corruption values.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

The complaint, filed by activist Sonthiya Sawasdee, was rejected on the grounds that he wasn’t directly impacted by the policy.

You gotta love that 

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

The court's decision underscores the complex integration of political pledges and their legal standing, drawing attention to the flexibility often required in policy execution post-election. This judgment not only reinforces the autonomy of elected officials in adapting policies but also highlights the legal system's role in delineating the scope of politically motivated litigation versus actionable legal grievances.

Promise the earth, give nothing and get away with it....