Thailand's cabinet backs $2.2 billion cash aid to boost economy, jobs

The Thai economy is forecast to contract by more than 8% this year, its worst annual performance on record, led by a slump in exports and tourism

Thailand’s cabinet backed several stimulus measures worth a combined budget of 70 billion baht ($2.2 billion) to boost consumption and jobs to counter the economic downturn from the Covid-19 outbreak.
 
The ministerial meeting also passed a resolution to add three additional holidays this year to encourage domestic travel, as the country’s vital tourism sector has been crushed by the absence of international tourists for months because of the pandemic.
 
The latest stimulus plans include cash incentives for welfare cardholders and funds for members of a co-payment program geared to low-income earners and small retailers, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha