Thailand's RM65.7bil digital handout an antidote to economic crisis, says PM's advisor

Srettha Thavisin gesturing, after Thailand's parliament voted in favour of his prime ministerial candidacy, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 22, 2023. — Reuters

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's new government will use its controversial digital handout plan to spend its way out of what it calls an economic "crisis" without making any major cutbacks or hitting its credit ratings, a senior government advisor said.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's signature 500 billion baht (RM65.7bil) stimulus policy has faced criticism over fears it could stoke inflation and adversely impact the fiscal position of South-East Asia's second-largest economy.