Pheu Thai's promise to hike wages under fire

Paetongtarn ‘Ung-ing’ Shinawatra, head of the Pheu Thai Family, centre, poses for a photograph with party members after showcasing her vision for the party and its campaign slogan ‘Think Big, Act Smart, For All Thais’ at the party headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

The Pheu Thai Party kicked off its election campaign on Tuesday with promises of lifting the daily minimum wage to 600 baht and the minimum monthly salary for those with a bachelor's degree to 25,000 baht.

The party's wage rise promise attracted criticisms from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and university academics.