Political parties promised several populist pledges for the general election to entice voters, including a controversial 10,000-baht handout via digital wallets to those aged 16 and over; a hike in minimum daily wages to 600 baht; an increase of minimum monthly salaries for university graduates to 25,000 baht; debt suspension for farmers; an immediate cut in electricity tariffs; and a rise in the monthly allowance for people aged 60 and over to 3,000-5,000 baht, up from 600-1,000 baht.
Thailand Development Research Institute recently estimated at least 3 trillion baht would be required to fulfil 87 populist policies promised by nine political parties.
