PUBLISHED: 22 September 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
A rumor that Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, the government of the Bank of Thailand, will be fired because of a dispute over the administration’s proposed digital budget scheme has been debunked by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Mr. Srettha, who is also the finance minister, stated to Thai press on Wednesday during an exam in New York that he has never thought about firing Ms. Sethaput.
It’s hilarious, I tell you. The prime minister said,” I’ve never had such an idea, and I’m not sure how for news got out. Since I entered politics, I have had three encounters with the government of the central banks.
The government went to the Pheu Thai Party office to talk about the digital wallet plan before I took over as prime minister. I took his advice to heart and put it in writing. On the day our scheme was delivered [ on September 14 ], I afterwards ran into him at the Finance Ministry. Our conversation went smoothly, he said.
Some claim that the government of the Bank of Thailand cannot be fired by the excellent minister. Personally, I have always considered doing thus. We don’t harbor any animosity toward one another. I honor him and handle him with admiration. We are respectful of one another.
Following remarks made by Mr. Sethaput that some have interpreted as important of the digital wallet program, which he believes will play a significant role in boosting usage and reviving the business, earlier, rumors circulated on social media that his work was in danger.
Every Thai federal over the age of 16 will receive 10, 000 baht in online currency from the government, regardless of their financial situation, at an estimated overall cost of 560 billion Baht.
The money will be in effect for six months and can be used to make purchases of goods or services within a 4-kilometer spoke of the user’s home. By the first third of the following year, the program is anticipated to be launched.
Mr. Sethaput stated on September 14 that before evaluating the system, the central bank was awaiting more concise plan statements. He continued by saying that the lender does not now accept payments from online assets. Additionally, he claimed that it might be more successful to focus on those who actually require the funds.
The government stated that it would be simpler on the financial budget if the scheme was allocated to a specific segment.