The government should boost the country's short-term economic growth by expanding state welfare policies to reduce inequalities in society, academics said at a seminar organised by the Thai Journalists' Association yesterday.
Nonarit Bisonyabut, a senior academic with the Thailand Development Research Institute, yesterday said the Srettha Thavisin administration will face tough challenges as it attempts to reboot the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.
He urged the government to review its plan for a 10,000-baht digital cash giveaway for all Thais aged 16 and over, saying the policy risks causing inflation to spike. The policy enjoys widespread public support, even as it raises concerns among some economists.
Instead, Mr Nonarit urged the government to spend its budget on other welfare policies that would better address the underlying cause of inequalities in the country.
Meanwhile, the vice chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry Tanit Sorat said Mr Srettha has the right background to lead the country out of its prolonged economic slump.
However, Mr Tanit said Mr Srettha has to start focusing on economic affairs, as under the previous administration -- which came to power following the 2014 coup -- the country paid too much attention to security affairs.
Given current economic circumstances, Mr Tanit said it will be a challenge for the government to come up with quick-fix measures to address the nation's most pressing issues, which include sluggish growth, ballooning household debt and slumping exports.
He urged the government to reconsider its pledge to raise the daily minimum wage to 600 baht, adding it should give companies until May next year to comply with the 25,000 baht minimum wage for university graduates.
"To stimulate the economy, the government should improve labour skills and provide workers with proper welfare," he said.
Kiatanantha Lounkaew, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, said the government should improve education to meet industry demands.
Mr Kiatanantha urged the government to reform the education sector in an effort to improve Thai workers' competence.