Thai finance ministry mulls handouts for farmers
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance met on April 9 to hash out details of a planned cash handout for almost 9 million farmers to inject liquidity into the economy amid the slowdown brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak.
People line up to see if they have received the government's 5,000-baht cash handout for informal workers in Bangkok's Navamin area. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Finance met on April 9 to hash out details of a planned cash handout for almost 9 million farmers to inject liquidity into the economy amid the slowdown brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said the ministry was still considering the handout amount and downplayed speculation of a subsidy worth 30,000 THB (nearly 1,000 USD) for eligible households.
However, it will be directly transferred to farmers as in the past, he said, adding that the ministry will finalise details as soon as possible.
However, Uttama admitted he did not know whether the handout can be rolled out by the end of the month, saying the proposed handout is only one of several relief measures which will be funded by the government's 1-trillion-THB emergency loan.
Director of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) Lavaron Sangsnit said the amount may not be equal to the 5,000-THB handout paid to informal workers, as farmers are not considered as directly affected by the pandemic, because it is not growing season at the moment./.
You should also see
Cam Lam - Vinh Hao Expressway to help drive south-central region's economy
The 78.5km Cam Lam - Vinh Hao Expressway, one of the three sub-projects of the North - South Expressway project’s eastern wing, officially opened to traffic on April 26.
See more
World
Indonesia's first thermal power plant stops operating
Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has held a press conference to inform about the country’s progress in the early decommissioning of the Cirebon-1 thermal power plant.
World
Thai central bank intervenes to stabilise currency
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) said it has intervened in currency markets at times to ease any excessive moves in the THB, adding that the current policy rate is robust and conducive to economic recovery, reported the Bangkok Post.
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
