Thailand PM Srettha shows signs of leaning toward China for growth

New Thai government's policies criticized as pork-barreling

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after greeting Chinese tourists from Shanghai on Sept. 25. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

KOSUKE INOUE, Nikkei staff writer

October 11, 2023 10:31 JST

BANGKOK -- With low-income people in mind, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who took office in August, promised to raise the minimum wage and hand out 10,000 baht ($270) in digital money to every Thai aged 16 and older. The decision is a reminder of "Thaksinomics," the economic set of policies adopted by Thaksin Shinawatra while serving as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.