Bangkok: "Satithorn" has highlighted the Pheu Thai party's policy of randomly distributing millions of baht as strong in its communication aspect.
According to Thai News Agency, the policy, which is a part of the Pheu Thai party's final push, is being recognized for its effectiveness in political communication, though its potential for structural improvements remains under scrutiny.
Mr. Sitthithorn Thananithichot, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, commented on the Pheu Thai Party's final campaign slogan, "randomly distributing one million baht," describing it as distinctive in creating widespread awareness. However, he suggests that the policy's long-term structural impact should also be considered.
The concept of winning 9 million baht per day, targeting groups such as farmers, public service recipients, the elderly, taxpayers, and citizens with receipts, is noted for generating daily hope without participation cost, resulting in high engagement. Mr. Sitthithorn emphasizes that the policy uses behavioral incentives to integrate citizens into government systems, potentially yielding valuable data for future policy making.
However, he stresses the importance of ensuring long-term security in people's lives, suggesting that societal expectations should be linked to state-guaranteed rights rather than chance. Access to the policy may vary, with technologically advanced groups potentially benefiting more, highlighting a need for additional mechanisms to ensure broader coverage.
Regarding the budget, Mr. Sitthithorn notes the feasibility of spending over 3 billion baht annually in the short term but underscores the need for the government to communicate the policy's cost-effectiveness and tangible results to gain societal acceptance. He believes that assessing the policy's success should extend beyond the number of winners to include the government's ability to leverage data and systems for long-term quality of life improvements.