Pressing the mute button
The fast-approaching Christmas and New Year celebrations are supposed to ignite a sense of joy among the public, but such enthusiasm has long been curbed by the pandemic crisis that has sunk economies and hopes around the globe.
With a feeling of unease in the air in Thailand, the government has been attempting to soothe the public through several financial assistance measures, with the co-payment scheme taking the spotlight.
The goal of this measure is to increase sales through small merchants and reduce the cost of living. However, the extent of its effectiveness remains uncertain as swelling household debt and a streak of income losses overshadow hints of optimism.
WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI, PATHOM SANGWONGWANICH AND SUCHIT LEESA-NGUANSUK
