By Thai Newsroom Reporters
VARIETIES OF CHEAP, Chinese-made merchandise will likely flood Thailand’s domestic markets under the vote-wooing, Pheu Thai-initiated digital wallet project, Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon concluded today (June 19).
During the first day of a marathon floor debate in the House of Representatives, the Move Forward leader-cum-Opposition leader took the Pheu Thai-led government to task over the 2025 budget bill which, he said, will only serve their political agenda based on the contentious populist handout campaign.
Imports and sales of cheap, low-quality Chinese-made goods ranging from clothing, furniture items, electric appliances and electronic equipment to EV automobiles, among others, will immensely thrive throughout the country where the Thais entitled to the 10,000-baht digital wallet will indiscriminately purchase them, Chaithawat said.
Thailand’s trade deficit to China already reached a record high last year due to the quantitative imports and sales of those cheap, jerry-built goods from the Asian economic superpower, according to the Move Forward leader.
Chaithawat charged that the Pheu Thai-led government has merely looked to drive their vote-wooing, populist campaign with the 10,000-baht digital wallet project without the country’s economic and financial objectives being seriously taken into account.
“The government has obviously aimed to solve their political crisis with the country’s economic potential and resources at stake. The core coalition party has apparently offered to run the country at loss whilst serving their political agenda over which they would ultimately strive to not lose face.
“That said, the government’s digital wallet project would merely showcase a superficial, vote-wooing campaign,” Chaithawat said without mentioning the Pheu Thai by name.
The Move Forward leader branded the 3.75 trillion baht budget bill the most easy-going, riddled with risks ever debated at parliament.
He doubted that the digital wallet handout campaign would substantially stimulate domestic consumption, promote manufacturing industry and boost either the local or national economy as repeatedly boasted by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and other government figures.
CAPTION:
Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon addressing the House during today’s budget debate. Photos: Thai Rath
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