Thai junta approves $358m cash handout for poor

AFP, BANGKOK: Thailand’s military leaders day announced $358 million in cash handouts for some of the kingdom’s poorest people, a surprise giveaway from a junta that decried subsidies by the civilian government it toppled.
The move comes as Yingluck Shinawatra, whose democratically elected administration was kicked out in a 2014 coup, faces up to a decade in jail over a generous rice subsidy aimed at the rural poor.
Since seizing power junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha has railed against the rice scheme, which cost Thailand billions of dollars, and vowed to end Thailand’s culture of “populist” government subsidies. But in its latest sop to an increasingly hard-up public, Prayut said $358 million in cash handouts would be released next month. 
“It’s a measure to help low-income earners,” he told reporters adding the move would be a “stimulus to the economy that would trigger more spending”.
Those earning under 30,000 baht ($845) a year will receive a 3,000 baht one-time handout while those earning between 30-100,000 baht will be given 1,500 baht.
Farmers are not included in the latest handout because they had already received financial help, he added.

Thai junta approves $358m cash handout for poor

AFP, BANGKOK: Thailands military leaders day announced $358 million in cash handouts for some of the kingdoms poorest people, a surprise giveaway from a junta that decried subsidies by the civilian government it toppled. The move comes as Yingluck Shinawatra, whose democratically elected administration was kicked out in a 2014 coup, faces up to a decade in jail over a generous rice subsidy aimed at therural poor. Since seizing power junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha has railed against the rice scheme, which cost Thailand billions of dollars, and vowed to end Thailands culture of populist government subsidies. But in its latest sop to an increasingly hard-up public, Prayut said $358 million in cash handouts would be released next month. Its a measure to help low-income earners, he told reporters adding the move would be a stimulus to the economy that would trigger more spending. Those earning under 30,000 baht ($845) a year will receive a 3,000 baht one-time handout while those earning between 30-100,000 baht will be given 1,500 baht. Farmers are not included in the latest handout because they had already received financial help, he added.