Government Defends $15B Digital Wallet Handout Amid Questions Over Crisis Claim
• Government says current economy is in a "crisis" to justify $15B loan for digital wallet handout scheme
• No official definition of "economic crisis"; government claims recession, high household debt, low growth justify crisis label
• Deputy Finance Minister says scheme delayed, may provide only "meagre stimulus effect"
• Thailand GDP grew just 1.8% in 2023
• Law allows government borrowing outside budget process for "urgent and continual" action on "critical problems"