Thailand unveils US$7bil stimulus to counter virus impact

Thailand Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. - The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Bloomberg): Thailand unveiled stimulus programmes including cash handouts worth 210 billion baht (US$7 billion) to support millions of individuals and businesses affected by the country’s biggest wave of coronavirus infections since the pandemic began a year ago.

The government plans to distribute cash to about 30 million people, mostly informal sector workers and farmers, who are hit by curbs on businesses and mobility, according to Danucha Pichayanan, secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Council. Under the plan, each beneficiary will receive 3,500 baht per month for two months starting as early as February, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said at a briefing in Bangkok Tuesday.