Thailand to roll out disputed $13.8 bn plan in digital money to citizens

Thailand's prime minister said on Monday that eligible businesses and individuals can register from August for digital cash handouts, a controversial program that will cost billions of dollars and is meant to boost the lagging economy.

The government announced in April the widely criticised ambitious plan, named the Digital Wallet, meant to give 10,000 baht (about USD 275) to 50 million citizens in digital money to spend at local businesses.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on the social platform X, saying the registration will begin on August 1 and that he has given instructions to ensure the smooth implementation of the program.

The Digital Wallet was a major campaign promise of the ruling Srettha's Pheu Thai party ahead of last year's general election. The government says that this scheme will cause an economic tornado, and Srettha has said the stimulus and subsequent consumption are expected to boost gross domestic product growth by 1.2 to 1.6 percentage points.

However,