January 21, 2025
Bangkok – Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pledged on Monday that the Pheu Thai-led government will remit 10,000 baht to eligible recipients via a digital wallet platform by April at the latest.
He made the statement while campaigning for the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the Maha Sarakham provincial administrative organization election. Thaksin said in his speech that the second phase of the 10,000 baht distribution will definitely be carried out on January 27, and the third phase will be carried out in March or April.
“Who is 60 years old here? You will receive 10,000 baht on January 27,” Thaksin said. “People under 60 may have to wait a little bit. Once the technology is ready around March or April, the money will gradually Sent to you.
He boasted that Pheu Thai Party always kept its promises, but he said that the distribution of 10,000 baht was delayed this time because Pheu Thai Party is not a one-party government like in the past.
He also called on Mahasarakham voters to vote for Pheu Thai Party in the PAO election so that the new Mahasarakham PAO chairman can coordinate more effectively with the central government.
When canvassing for votes during the 2023 general election, the Pheu Thai Party promised to donate 10,000 baht to 50 million Thais aged 16 and above through a digital wallet platform.
Later, the number of beneficiaries was reduced to 45 million, and the plan shifted to the first phase of cash disbursement to 14.5 million welfare card holders and disabled people at the end of September last year. The second phase, scheduled for January 27, will see cash payments to senior citizens.
Regarding the controversial casino entertainment complex, Thaksin believes it will do more good than harm to the country. He said he revealed the project 20 years ago but was opposed by “hypocrites” in Thailand. He claimed that because of this opposition, Singapore continued to build casinos and stole foreign tourists from Thailand.
Thaksin also pointed out that Thailand's current economic situation is worse than during the Tom Yum crisis in 1997, because this time, the grassroots suffered the most.
Therefore, he said Mahasarakham voters should support Pheu Thai in local elections and the upcoming 2027 national election in order to revive the economy and improve people's living conditions.
