BANGKOK
\nThai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin came under fire in parliament on Monday over a policy agenda that opposition lawmakers called vague and said was short of some of his party\u2019s boldest election pledges.
\nPolitical newcomer Srettha, who heads a coalition government that includes some of his party\u2019s most bitter rivals, confirmed his agenda before lawmakers and focused on digital cash handouts, lowering energy prices and relaxing visa rules to boost tourism.
\nIn remarks later in the day, he said his government aimed for growth of at least 5% annually and would support the economy in the short term by boosting tourism, a vital income earner.
\nSrettha, who is also finance minister, also pledged to take a market-led approach to increase income for farmers.
\nBut the biggest party in parliament, the opposition Move Forward, said the agenda of Srettha\u2019s Pheu Thai party lacked specifics.
\n\u201cThis is aimless. There are no clear goals, no time frame and budget,\u201d said Move Forward legislator Sirikanya Tansakul, during a marathon debate scheduled to end late on Tuesday.
\n\u201cThe policy statement needs to have details … it should not be a wish-list.\u201d
\nThe new administration adopts an economy that is expected to grow 2.8% this year, below a previous forecast of 3.6%.
\nSrettha said his signature policy a 10,000 baht ($282.09) giveaway via a digital wallet to all Thais over the age of 16 would \u201cre-awaken\u201d the economy.
\n\u201cThe digital wallet has to be used in a four kilometre radius so it can trigger regional economic activity… and the six-month limit will spur short-term growth,\u201d he said, defending his policy.
\nBut some questioned its sources of funds for a project that will cost 560 billion baht ($15.80 billion), including Move Forward\u2019s Sirikanya, who asked if Srettha intended to \u201cstart governing by destroying fiscal discipline\u201d.
\nThe Democrat Party\u2019s Jurin Laksanawisit, who was recently commerce minister, asked what had happened to some of the pledges made to the public to win votes.
\n\u201cYou promised a 25,000 baht salary for new graduates, but it is not mentioned,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BANGKOK Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin came under fire in parliament on Monday over a policy agenda that opposition lawmakers called vague and said was short of some of his party\u2019s boldest election pledges. Political newcomer Srettha, who heads a coalition government that includes some of his party\u2019s most bitter rivals, confirmed his agenda before […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":355382,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-355376","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n