The Pheu Thai-led coalition government faces mounting pressure to abandon its populist policy of handing out 10,000 baht to all citizens aged 16 years and above under its digital wallet scheme.
A few weeks ago, 99 academics had issued a signed statement opposing the scheme that would cost as much as 560 billion baht, even as the government was still running a fiscal deficit and burdened with rising public debt.
The academics argued that the money could be spent more wisely instead of wasting the huge amount to boost private consumption in the short run.
Despite severe criticism from the scholars, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin remains defiant. He is urging government supporters to come out in defence of the scheme.
In response, some government supporters did echo the administration’s narrative that it would boost the economy and support low-income groups.
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