Thaksin Speaks On 'Digital Wallet' Handout, Protectionism & New PM

Former PM and influential businessman Thaksin Shinawatra has delivered a lengthy and wide-ranging set of comments on his 'Vision for Thailand' as part of Nation TV’s Dinner Talk.

• Thaksin, who returned from 15 years in political exile in August 2023, says that 'there was no political deal made' regarding his return, adding 'there is no deal, no one [would] dare do a deal with me'. Says that the 'Thai constitution makes politics weak'.
• Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn, was confirmed last week as Thailand's new prime minister. As Bloomberg reports, "While Thaksin is unlikely to assume any official or political position in the new government, he’s expected to wield considerable influence on Paetongtarn administration’s policies." He says that he will not interfere in Paetongtarn's role, adding he will 'have to honour her role'.
• In other policy areas Thaksin:
  • Restated his support for the THB500bn (USD14.5bn) 'digital wallet' handout plan, which has garnered criticism from the central bank.
  • Advocated for applying 'small steps of protectionism' to limit mass imports of low-cost Chinese consumer goods, saying 'we have to find equality in competition'.
  • Reuters: "He also said the finance minister should work closely with the central bank to make sure fiscal and monetary policy worked in the same direction, and said it was crucial for Thailand's massive household debt to be restructured, and for small businesses to access loans."