Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says he is confident that the government’s loan bill, needed to fund the digital wallet scheme, will sail through parliament with the support of the coalition parties’ 320 MPs.

Speaking from San Francisco in the United States, the prime minister admitted that there are both supporters for and opponents of the scheme, adding that he would like both sides to listen to explanations of the advantages and disadvantages of the scheme so that the issues may be discussed in a constructive manner.

He emphasised that the scheme has been carefully thought out and is necessary under the present circumstances, when the country’s economy is in crisis, due to slow annual growth of an average of 1.9% per year for the past 10 years, and in need of stimulation.

“We cannot stand alone in the world, which is full of competition,” said the prime minister, as he warned that, if Thailand’s economic growth rate remains stagnant, no foreign investors will choose to invest in Thailand any more.

The prime minister said that the feels sorry for those who will miss out on the scheme, following recent changes to the conditions for eligibility, adding that the government must heed the advice, of both the Bank of Thailand and the National Economic and Social Development Council, that “rich” people should not receive the benefit.