Palang's ruling Pracharat party announced a new pre-election pledge that caused a sensation: if it remains in power after the May 14 elections, it will transfer 30,000 baht to the accounts of 8 million farmers across the country. The transfer will be a one-time move, said Charnkrit Dejwitak, a spokesman for the party's election strategy committee.
The pledge is expected to cost the country's budget 240 billion baht. Farmers will use the money to invest in their farms and improve their living conditions, Charnkreath said. He added that the new policy had been carefully considered by the party's "economic team".
"The money will be quickly introduced into the economy and will immediately begin to circulate," he explained.
Charnkreath tried to improve on the promise of the opposition Pheu Thai party, which promised to transfer 10,000 baht to digital wallets for every Thai aged 16 and over, saying that Palang Pracharat's promise was aimed at a higher priority group.
Pheu Tai's pledge has been criticized as a threat to the country's financial system, although Pheu Thai members claim it will stimulate the economy and result in increased tax revenue.
