Thailand Goes Ahead With $14 Billion Handout to Prop Economy

Thailand unveiled a $14 billion cash handout to jumpstart its economy, trimming the size of the planned stimulus only slightly despite warnings from some economists and former central bankers that the outlay may stoke inflation and widen fiscal deficit.

The so-called digital wallet program will cover 50 million people with each receiving 10,000 baht ($280) that may be ready for disbursal by May, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. That’s down from an original proposal to extend the handout to 56 million people who are 16 years or older.