Bangkok: Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, has presented evidence to counter claims by the Pheu Thai Party, asserting that the government's relief checks are distinct from randomly distributing millions of baht.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Korn posted a message on his personal page, responding to comparisons made by Pheu Thai members regarding the cash handout policy during the Democrat Party's government, clarifying the significant differences.

Mr. Korn highlighted that the Democrat Party's "National Relief Checks" initiative effectively addressed the 2009 economic crisis, contrasting it with Pheu Thai's current policy of distributing millions of baht randomly. He emphasized that the relief checks were a well-planned response to the economic turmoil caused by the "Hamburger Crisis" and were part of a broader economic stimulus effort that included 2,000 baht checks for low-income earners, benefiting over 10 million people.

In contrast, Korn criticized Pheu Thai's handout policy as being based on "luck," with only 3,285 individuals receiving a million baht, representing a mere 0.005% of the population, without distinguishing between rich and poor. He also questioned the transparency of the selection process, implying that it might not have been fair or accessible to ordinary citizens.

Korn further argued that the Democrat Party's relief checks were designed as a practical solution to immediate economic problems, unlike Pheu Thai's policy, which was announced during an election campaign to gain popularity. He pointed out that Pheu Thai's failure to deliver a promised 10,000 baht digital handout demonstrated a lack of research and feasibility in their campaign promises.

The Democrat Party's economic policies at the time led to significant economic growth, with an economic boom resulting in a 7.5% growth rate by the end of the year, benefiting businesses and boosting trade. Korn's statements underscore the importance of data-driven and targeted economic policies rather than politically motivated giveaways.

This critique by the former Minister of Finance highlights the need for careful planning and data analysis in designing economic policies, rather than seeking political advantage through random financial distributions.