Thailand's stalled state cash handout scheme upsets voters

RUNGTHIWA Pimphanit waited months for a long-promised cash handout of 10000 baht (R5485) from Thailand’s ruling party, which she backed in 2023 elections, but now the scheme to stimulate a stalling economy has been put on ice.

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“Tm very disappointed and angry,” said the 34-year-old government employee from the north-eastern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, who had counted on the money to pay for her son’s school supplies. “There’s no way I will vote for them again”

Rungthiwa’s hopes withered last month after news that the scheme, a key election plank of the ruling Pheu Thai party, would be delayed, fuelling doubt about any recovery in south-east Asia's second-largest economy after years of tepid growth.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra blamed steep tariffs proposed by the US, but the delay to her government’ flagship programme, on which it has already spent 174 billion baht poses a major political risk, say analysts.

“No one will believe anything they say,” said Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the independent Political and Policy Analysis Institute.