The People party’s deputy leader, Sirikanya Tansakul, has criticised the government’s ‘co-payment plus’ scheme, questioning its effectiveness in addressing economic problems, while potentially buying votes for the Bhumjaithai party in the next election.
During the debate on the government’s policy statement on Monday, she said that no one disagrees with the co-payment scheme, but that she was surprised that the person who gave details about the scheme was neither Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul nor Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, but the Bhumjaithai deputy leader, who may be appointed government spokesperson.
She said that it is debatable as to whether the scheme is a political or an economic project, adding that it may help boost the Bhumjaithai party’s popularity while failing to solve any economic problems.
The scheme will cost the taxpayers about 66 billion baht for the first phase, said Sukanya, adding that this amount will be divided into:
- Bt22bn for 13.5 million holders of state welfare cards, each of whom would receive Bt1,700.
- Bt18bn for 11 million people who do not pay taxes, but would receive Bt2,000 each.
- Bt26.4bn for the 11 million people in the tax system, each of whom would receive Bt2,400.
She suggested that the terms for the use of money under the scheme should be adjusted, such as by changing the maximum
spend per day of Bt200 to a minimum of Bt200 a day to accelerate spending, which would help stimulate the economy.
She said the co-payment scheme could potentially reduce the cost of living and help SMEs, but not the state welfare fund because the money can only be used to buy things from Blue Flag shops.
The People’s party deputy leader also said that she expects the new finance minister, who is a political outsider, to come up with new ideas to generate more tax revenue for the state and to propose tax reforms for the next government.
