Changes To Digital Wallet Handout Touted Ahead Of Gov't Policy Speech

Senior officials from PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government have indicated that the ruling Pheu Thai Party's (PTP's) flagship digital wallet handout scheme will have to change, ahead of the Premier's widely anticipated inaugural policy speech, which will be delivered in parliament on Thursday.

• Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said on Monday that the government will distribute THB145bn from the handout programme earlier than scheduled, with the first tranche of payments expected later this month (after September 20).
• Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (as quoted by Thai Enquirer) said that the programme will be divided into two phases, namely a THB10,000 cash handout for 14.5mn this month and another THB5,000 handout of cash-backed credit by next year, with room for further adjustments.
• The plan to maintain the handout scheme backed by the PTP-led coalition was reaffirmed in the policy statement published by the government over the weekend. This Thursday, PM Paetongtarn will reiterate this to lawmakers, while the ensuing debate may shed more light on how the programme will be implemented.