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Will a 10,000 baht handout plan jump-start the Thai economy?

The digital cash handout scheme by the Pheu Thai government is meant to stimulate the economy but it has drawn flak for being populist and failing to tackle more pressing problems.

Thailand's government is banking on the 500 billion baht (S$18.9 billion) stimulus to jumpstart an economy that grew by just 1.8 per cent in the second quarter, a figure that relegated Thailand to one of the worst performing countries in South-east Asia.

The Thai government's biggest and perhaps most controversial plan is the 500 billion baht (S$18.9 billion) stimulus programme.

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Tan Hui Yee

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BANGKOK – The SET Index, a bellwether of Thailand’s economic fortunes, convulsed during the three months it took for Thailand to form a government after its historic May 14 election.

Former property tycoon Srettha Thavisin’s premiership appears to have done little more for investor confidence. Since he

assumed leadership of the Pheu Thai Party-led government on Aug 22

, the bourse has bled faster than it did during Thailand’s political deadlock.

Will a 10,000 baht handout plan jump-start the Thai economy?

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