Poll finds most Thais want 10,000 baht handout to be given to all
A recent opinion survey found that most respondents want the Pheu Thai-led government to stick with its pre-poll promise to hand 10,000 baht to all Thais aged 16 and above.
It also found that most of them want to be able to spend this money anywhere, instead of within 4 kilometres of their registered house address.
The National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll) survey, conducted between October 31 and November 2, covered 1,310 respondents aged 18 and above from across the country. The results were announced on Sunday.
The handing out of 10,000 baht to all Thais aged 16 and above was the main election theme of the Pheu Thai party.
If implemented, the scheme will require at least 560 billion baht.
However, the project has come under much criticism from economists and former central bank governors, who have advised the government narrow down the scope of recipients and only give it to persons in need.
Following much criticism, a subcommittee came up with confusing criteria and rules for handing out the money, prompting many people to cry foul.
Eventually, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pacified the worried public by saying he would be the only authority on the subject and the rules should be clearer by next week.
Meanwhile, when asked what the criteria should be for selecting recipients, the response was:
• 50.08%: All should be eligible regardless of their earnings and how much is in their bank accounts
• 26.64%: Only low-income and state-welfare cardholders should be eligible.
• 14.66%: People with monthly salaries of 50,000 baht and above, or those with 500,000 baht in their bank accounts should be disqualified.
• 8.01%: People earning 25,000 baht a month or with 100,000 baht in their bank accounts should be disqualified.
• 0.61%: No comment.
When asked where the 10,000-baht handout should be spent, the respondents replied:
• 69.85%: In any shop and anywhere in the country.
• 14.50%: Within the province where the recipient has a registered address.
• 13.59%: Within the districts where the recipient has a registered address.
• 2.06%: Within a 4-kilometre radius of the recipients’ homes.
When asked how long the spending period should be, the respondents said:
• 62.60%: Within 6 months.
• 37.09%: Within one year.
• 0.31%: No comment.
