WHAT NEXT FOR DIGITAL WALLET PROPOSAL?
Ms. Paetongtarn now faced questions about whether to back down on one of Pheu Thai’s most important election coverage promises, a electronic wallet initiative that promised to lower the cost of living for people.  ,
The wallet would provide 10, 000 Thai baht ( US$ 290 ) to every Thai over the age of 16 for purchases at local businesses. But almost one year into authorities, the legislation, estimated to cost some US$ 14 billion, has remained stalled despite about 30 million Thais registering for it.
Ms. Paetongtarn stated at her first press conference on Sunday that the state would need to” research and talk to more options,” but that the program would not be abandoned.  ,
Questions have persisted regarding the policy’s financing, its effects on prices, and whether it will help to stimulate a slow market.  ,
Further, the plan raises potential tripwires for an untrained leader because of the larger constitutional concerns raised by it.  ,
According to Mr. Somchai,” There are problems around this policy, such as potential violations of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act or allegations of improper use of the regional budget.”
While the job may still be in progress, he added, the government may need to consider who the recipients of the freebies are and where the money is raised.
According to Dr. Yuttaporn Issarachai, a social scientist from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Pheu Thai’s popularity has declined in recent years and it still won the previous election.  ,
Pheu Thai’s online budget represents a turning point. In some ways, he said, because they must be held accountable to the public, they don’t move. ” If this is cancelled it will surely affect the public’s trust in Pheu Thai” . ,
To maintain its own life, the government will make sure it is secure from legal scrutiny. That could result in prolonged sessions or big difficulties to other major policies, more than illegal delays, said Dr Titipol Phakdeewanich, chairman at the Regional Center for Human Rights at Ubon Ratchathani University.
He said,” Khun Thaksin and Khun Ung Ing perhaps do not want to take the chance of making legal errors,” referring to Ms. Paetongtarn by her moniker.
Other populist initiatives, such as raising the minimum wage, have n’t been implemented in the country since the election.  ,
To change for a legislation requires agreement among multiple partners, including the private sector. Reaching discussion has proven to be challenging, according to Mr. Somchai, which has once more undermined public confidence in the group’s nationalist agenda.
” Even though there is a clear plan, this change is really tough. The election commission may ban the use of minimum wage increases as a plan for political promotions, he said.