COVID-19: Thailand plans 51-billion-Baht-cash-handout

BANGKOK, Sept 17 -- Thailand's cabinet is planning a 51-billion-baht (100 baht = RM13.24) cash handout to 24 million people to boost domestic consumption and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The Centre for Economic Situation Administration chaired by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha on Wednesday has approved a 30 billion baht cash handout from the plan to 10 million people to buy consumer goods during the final quarter of the year.

Under the (30 billion baht) scheme, recipients will get a daily discount of 100 baht per day or 3,000 baht per month to buy food, beverages and household goods from small vendors. The scheme does not include convenience stores and franchises.

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Besides that, 14 million welfare cardholders will receive 500 baht from October to December this year, totaling 21 billion baht.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the plan is pending cabinet's approval.

Meanwhile, Prayuth said the government is looking into various measures to face the economic fallout amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need to be ready as we cannot predict when the COVID-19 situation will be over,” he said.

He assured that the government is giving priority to the low-income groups.

--BERNAMA