10K payees told to avoid alcohol

A network of anti-drunk driving groups is urging recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout not to spend the money on alcohol, to prevent accidents.
Phattarabhandhu Krissana, chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving, said the fund is better spent on necessities or investments rather than on alcoholic beverages, as drinking could lead to accidents and result in disabilities for themselves or others.
He said the network and the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation have decided that members who received the handout should allocate part of the money to pay for vehicle taxes to help ensure protection against accidents.
Mr Phattarabhandhu said some members of the network, a 15,000-strong grouping, are recipients of the cash handout, providing them with a lifeline during economic hardship.
The network’s call follows the distribution of 10,000 baht in cash to 12.4 million state welfare cardholders and 2.1 million disability cardholders to stimulate the economy.
The government has prioritised the handout for vulnerable groups, with the last batch of recipients set to receive the payment tomorrow. A government source indicated the government will continue with the scheme but may consider reducing the handout to 5,000 baht per person in the second phase.
This reduction is being considered because the government needs to allocate more funds for the rehabilitation of victims of widespread flooding, according to the source.
About 152.7 billion baht in the 2025 fiscal budget has been earmarked for the scheme, and part of it is likely to be transferred to the central fund to help flood victims.
Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said the sharp increase in cash withdrawals following the rollout indicates that recipients are struggling financially and that their spending will stimulate economic activity.
Sirikanya Tansakun, an MP of the main opposition People’s Party, said the reduced size of the cash handout, from 500 billion baht to 145 billion baht, will not be sufficient to raise GDP as initially planned.
“It’s unlikely that we’ll see a jump in economic activity, and many business operators are already complaining that business remains slow despite the handout,” she said.