Thailand to inject US$15 billion in second half to help economy amid COVID-19 outbreak

BANGKOK: Thailand’s government expects 473 billion baht (US$15.2 billion) to be injected into the economy in the second half after it approved on Tuesday (Jun 1) a planned stimulus to mitigate the impact of a third wave of COVID-19 infections, an official said.

The Southeast Asian country’s latest outbreak has accounted for more than 80 per cent of its total infections and more than 90 per cent of deaths and slowed domestic activity.

The stimulus worth 140 billion baht, includes cash handouts for low-income people, cash transfers under a co-payment scheme and e-vouchers for spenders.

It is part of a larger economic package worth 255 billion baht approved by the cabinet last month.

READ: Thai government reverses Bangkok’s easing of COVID-19 measures

“The measures will cover 51 million people and help sustain purchasing power … and…