In a bid to strengthen the economy, the regime led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a 21.9-billion-baht economic stimulus package late last month that contains measures covering various sectors.
The regime has defended the package, which is seen as another populist policy, as a crucial move that is designed to prevent the economy from losing more momentum and growing below its potential, in the wake of a depressed global economy, when the impact of the China-US trade war is felt in force.
The economic measures approved by the cabinet on April 30 encompass a tax deduction for spending on domestic tourism worth up to 15,000 baht per person; a tax break on spending to buy uniforms, sports equipment and textbooks for students; a similar subsidy for welfare smartcard holders to alleviate parents' burden; and a special mortgage to help home-buyers get better access to loans.
Initially, the government mulled a 1,500-baht cash giveaway per head to encourage people to travel to second-tier tourist towns. But the plan was shelved as criticism of it escalated.
The 21.9-billion-baht package is supposed to be the last of its kind introduced by the military regime, which over the past five years has issued a series of economic measures that in content are not different from the kind of populist measures it formerly frowned upon.
One of the best-known measures would the new state welfare cards, which are now held by 14.5 million people nationwide.
Populist economic measures are seen as temporary "painkillers" that can result in even greater disparity unless they are accompanied by drastic changes to the socio-economic structure.
As 2018 drew to an end, the Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse (CS) ranked Thailand as one of the most economically unequal countries in the world. The regime's stimulus packages have not changed that.
However, the tighter controls led to greater political stability, while draconian laws have helped to boost economic figures including export data and gross domestic product (GDP).
It is unfortunate that the regime, given its enormous power over all the major institutions, including the legislative body under its control, had no serious intention of narrowing the gap.
Some legal mechanisms that were designed to ease the socio-economic gap, like the Land and Building Tax Act, were later watered down so the unjust structure not only remains in place -- but become even more deeply rooted. Major land ownership is now concentrated in the hands of a few rich families.
More importantly, the regime's show of generosity by rolling out these populist measures ahead of the March 24 elections raised suspicion.
Many condemned the packages as a convenient tactic to make unfair political gains. The critics therefore felt a sense of vindication when coup leader and incumbent PM Prayut declared his political ambition to run a a prime ministerial candidate under the banner of pro-military Palang Pracharath Party, led by ex-cabinet minister Uttama Savanayana.
Political opponents lashed out at the party's name, which hints at the "Pracha Rath" populist scheme. This namesake has undoubtedly had a political impact the regime has benefited from, as it transforms into a political entity vying for power.
But economic packages cannot effect significant change without a major structural overhaul, nor can they cure social maladies that can harm the country sooner rather than later.