Poll pledges 'not sustainable'

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) said the campaign pledges reported to the Election Commission by five major political parties taking part in the election on Sunday could place an unsustainable burden on the country’s finances.

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM

According to the TDRI's latest analysis, the policies pledged by the five largest parties with the strongest chances of forming a government: the People’s Party, Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, Klatham and the Democrat Party could cost the state up to 740 billion baht per year to fund.

The proposals, which are designed to appeal to voters by promising extensive welfare schemes and subsidies, are “easy to promise, but difficult to deliver”, the institute cautioned.

TDRI researchers, led by economist Somkiat Tangkitvanich, reached the conclusion after assessing the estimated cost, sources of funding and implementation risks of the pledges, using the information provided to the EC by the parties.