Digital budget, PM’s trips leading agenda
The main opposition group, the Move Forward Party ( MPF), took the government to work on Wednesday for the changes to the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout scheme, claiming there was no clearness regarding the financing source, which had already been changed five times.
MFP deputy chief Sirikanya Tansakun’s attention was on the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s premier policy, which has been delayed numerous times, and the changing source of funding on the first day of the public discussion.
She expressed concern that it is still unclear how the party’s main policy will be funded, but that the government was likely to use three sources: the 2025 annual budget, the central budget, and a loan from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives ( BAAC ).
Changes to the electric pocket plan were likewise discussed by the MFP list- MP.
The resources for the fiscal year 2024 was originally intended to cover it, but there were insufficient funds. It looked into other options, including borrowing money from the Government Savings Bank ( GSB), using the budget, and using both loans and the budget, all of which had legal restrictions.
The government was unable to find sources of funding, according to the government, whose modifications to the scheme’s details merely indicated its lack of preparation.
” This made individuals gain confidence and problem if the scheme would always materialise,” she added.
Ms. Sirikanya criticized the measures as being ineffective and inquired if the government had any other plans in place because the existing oil and energy subsidy program would soon disappear.
She demanded information on how the government may handle the petrol gas bank’s bill, which was reported to have surpassed 100 billion at the end of March, and said the bank’s saving was close to reaching its maximum.
The MFP MP demanded to know how the government’s plan to make Thailand a tourism hotspot may address the issue and lessen emphasis on Chinese visitors because the visa-free system was not working as intended.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat responded by saying that the scheme’s facts are anticipated to become more clear on April 10 and that he could not give more information until it is finalized by the Digital Wallet Policy Committee.
He did, however, claim that the digital wallet initiative may be implemented in the final third of this year.
It is accurate to say that the plan has changed, including the number of consumers and the money options. These modifications were made in part because we did n’t want them to, but because they came from various organizations to help the scheme advance, he said.
Democrat list-member Jurin Laksanawisit criticized the government for skipping critical problems and questioned Srettha Thavisin’s travels abroad.
” It’s fine he plays the role of marketer. But the question is, does he shut any deals?”
He cited the new rejection by the organisers of Tomorrowland, an electronic dance music event, that the event would travel to Thailand.
According to Mr. Srettha,” I believe we will experience a wave of investment in the next two years.”