Will the Srettha government pursue debt-fuelled growth?

23 Sept 04:59 Key points summarised by AI

The Srettha government's 560 billion baht digital wallet scheme faces strong opposition from academics and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, who warn of escalating public debt and potential corruption risks.
Prime Minister Srettha defiantly pushes forward with the populist handout, signaling reliance on new borrowing to fund the scheme despite existing fiscal deficits and rising national debt.
Critics caution that this debt-fuelled consumption approach risks long-term fiscal instability, drawing parallels to past unsustainable populist policies and diverting essential funds from strategic investments.
Concerns mount over the scheme's economic efficacy, as experts argue against its necessity for recovery and highlight the dangers of increased debt burden in an aging society.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.