Bangkok: Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya Tawichai, spokesman for the Palang Pracharath Party, has voiced strong criticism regarding the government’s initiative to distribute digital money to children, suggesting that establishing a student fund would be a more beneficial approach.

According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya’s comments came after a meeting of the party’s executive committee, MPs, and the policy and strategy working group, led by Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan. The meeting addressed various issues, including a controversial incident involving a military general who facilitated the singing of the Cambodian national anthem at the Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province. This act, which took place in Phanom Dong Rak district, has sparked concerns over a perceived violation of Thai sovereignty. It has been 35 days without government action on the matter, prompting Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya to question the Thai government’s inaction and express confusion over Cambodia’s stance.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya also addressed the government’s plan to distribute 10,000 baht in digital money as part of Phase 3 of a budget allocation amounting to 27 billion baht. Targeted at individuals aged 16-20 years, the funds are restricted from covering essential expenses like tuition, phone, water, or electricity bills. Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya criticized this approach, arguing that it fails to alleviate the hardships faced by the youth. Instead, he proposed that the funds could be better utilized by establishing a student fund to support those with commendable academic achievements, rather than allocating money for what he termed as unproductive use by children.