The government is prepared to take on more debt in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, issuing an executive decree allowing the Finance Ministry to borrow an additional 500 billion baht up until September next year to protect public health and revitalise the economy.
While fresh funds are broadly welcomed as vital due to severe impacts inflicted by the third wave, concerns about transparency and calls for sufficient oversight of the new loan are growing.
The Bangkok Post has talked to various groups of people about their expectations of the loan.
‘Account for every baht’
Mana Nimitmongkol, secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT), agreed with the borrowing plan but stressed: “the government must ensure every baht is spent in the people’s interest.”
He said the money must not be spent to drum up political support as social…
