Thai Government Scraps 10,000-Baht Handout, Considers New Budget Stimulus Plan

The Thai government has decided to cancel its planned 10,000-baht digital wallet handout, originally intended for 2.7 million young people aged 16–20, and redirect over 150 billion baht toward a new economic stimulus plan.

This decision comes in response to global economic uncertainties, including the ongoing U.S. trade war and recent tariff measures, which are impacting Thailand’s exports and manufacturing sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stated that the Economic Stimulus Policy Committee will convene on May 19 to discuss new strategies to support domestic businesses facing challenges due to the influx of cheap foreign goods. The revised stimulus plan will prioritize production restructuring and liquidity support for affected industries, especially tourism and real estate, with the goal of achieving GDP growth of over 3% in 2025.

The cancellation of the handout follows recommendations from the National Economic and Social Development Council and the Bank of Thailand, which opposed its third phase. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that the government’s economic policies should address a broader crisis rather than focusing on a specific age group.