Digital handout on hold

Govt to shift cash to fund other priorities

- WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

The government has postponed the third phase of the 10,000-baht handout programme to instead spend the funds on solving structural issues and investing in infrastructure projects, insisting the project is not scrapped but only delayed.

Speaking after a meeting of the committee on economic stimulus measures, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said the government has reviewed the spending plan for 157 billion baht and agreed that adjustments are necessary.

The third phase of the digital wallet project, expected to cost 27 billion baht, was to be given to 2.7 million young people aged 16 to 20. Critics have argued the funds might be better used elsewhere, citing the limited economic impact of the first two phases.

Mr Pichai said the National Economic and Social Development Council and the Bank of Thailand earlier proposed reviewing the handout scheme, so the meeting did so and decided to spend the funds elsewhere, particularly on pressing issues.

"These issues are already in the plan, but we will look at the urgent problems, including those facing smalland medium-sized enterprises. We'll focus on increasing competitiveness and employment.