Academics & Thai Retailers Urge Govt to Include Retailers in Stimulus Plan

Matichon•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai experts and retailers propose expanding the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" stimulus program to include large retailers and modern trade outlets to maximize economic impact.

•Academics and the Thai Retailers' Association advocate for the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" economic stimulus program to be broadened.
•The current program's criteria exclude many large retail businesses, limiting its potential economic benefits.
•Inclusion of these larger entities is expected to generate a stronger and more sustained economic impact, extending beyond short-term gains.
•The proposal aims to create a more comprehensive economic circulation by integrating various business scales and supply chains.

Overview

•Amidst weak domestic purchasing power, high business costs, and low-priced import competition, the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" measure is a key short-term economic stimulus tool.
•Current project criteria limit juristic person stores with income exceeding 1.8 million baht from participating, excluding numerous large retailers and tax-paying businesses.
•Excluding large retail groups prevents them from contributing to the "economic whirlwind" through their extensive supply chain connections.
•Associate Professor Dr. At Pisanwanich proposed adjusting the criteria to include juristic person stores with income over 1.8 million baht and nationwide retailers.
•Including retailers is estimated to extend the economic stimulus's impact to Q4 of the year and early next year, instead of just Q2-Q3.
•The Thai Retailers' Association, represented by Mr. Nat Wonga-panich, supports the stimulus program but advocates for wider inclusion of modern trade channels for better public access and SME reach.
•Both academics and retailers agree that while the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" measure provides short-term stimulus, structural issues must be addressed for long-term sustainable growth.
•Proposals for structural reforms include fair competition rules, reduced energy and logistics costs, improved SME access to low-cost funding, and enhanced labor skills and technology adoption.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Associate Professor Dr. At Pisanwanich

"The government should adjust the criteria, opening the way for juristic person stores with income exceeding 1.8 million baht, including retail groups nationwide, to join the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' project, so that economic stimulus funds circulate faster and stronger."

รัฐบาลควรปรับหลักเกณฑ์ เปิดทางให้ร้านค้านิติบุคคลที่มีรายได้เกิน 1.8 ล้านบาท รวมถึงกลุ่มค้าปลีกทั่วประเทศเข้าร่วมโครงการไทยช่วยไทยพลัส เพื่อให้เม็ดเงินกระตุ้นเศรษฐกิจหมุนเวียนได้เร็วและแรงขึ้น

Associate Professor Dr. At Pisanwanich

"Large retail groups play a crucial role in creating an 'economic whirlwind' because they are linked to numerous supply chains."

กลุ่มค้าปลีกขนาดใหญ่มีบทบาทสำคัญในการสร้าง ‘พายุหมุนทางเศรษฐกิจ’ เพราะเชื่อมโยงกับห่วงโซ่อุปทานจำนวนมาก

Key Entities

Organization

Academics(นักวิชาการ)

A group of experts advocating for policy changes related to economic stimulus.

Thai Retailers' Association(สมาคมค้าปลีกไทย)

An association representing the interests of retailers in Thailand, proposing expansions to the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' program.

Law

Thai Helps Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทยพลัส)

A government economic stimulus program aimed at boosting domestic spending.

Person

Associate Professor Dr. At Pisanwanich(รองศาสตราจารย์ ดร. อัทธ์ พิศาลวานิช)

An international and ASEAN economics expert proposing adjustments to the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' program criteria.

Mr. Nat Wonga-panich(นายณัฐ วงศ์พานิช)

President of the Thai Retailers' Association, supporting the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' stimulus but advocating for wider inclusion.