Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha brushed aside criticism over the government's plan to hand out 1,500 baht cash bonuses across 55 second-tier provinces on Wednesday, saying that the proposal has yet to be finalised.
"As the country's export sector, a key contributor to the country's economic growth, is crippled by the US-China trade war, Thailand will have to spur its economic growth by encouraging people to spend domestically," said Gen Prayut.
"The 1,500-baht handout is only one among many other economic stimuli currently under consideration."
The PM insisted that his administration is responsible for finding a solution to the growth slump until the next government is sworn in, before adding that the government always exercises prudence in all of its work -- especially when it comes to budget allocations.
Gen Prayut made the comments after the media reported that the state is planning to give 1,500 baht to the first 10 million people who registered to participate in the scheme.
A source in the Finance Ministry, who requested to remain anonymous, said that recipients must be 18 years or older to qualify.
Those who sign up after the quota of 10 million is exhausted will be put on a waiting list to receive the cash bonus.
The measure, which is the highlight of the government's most recent stimulus package, will cost 15 billion baht.
After registration is completed, qualified recipients must show up in person to receive the bonus at a place of their choosing, which is determined during registration, the source said.
The money will be transferred via PromptPay to their e-wallet or bank accounts, the source explained.
Recipients will then be required to travel and spend the money in second-tier provinces this quarter, the source said, before adding that the bonus is expected to boost tourist numbers across 55 provinces.
The Finance Ministry recently said the stimulus package is designed to help maximise Thailand's economic growth, and that the bonus scheme will be forwarded to the cabinet for approval on Tuesday.