Bangkok: Yotchanan has addressed criticism regarding his policy of "creating 9 millionaires a day," which has been labeled a misuse of taxpayer money by political figures Abhisit and Korn. Despite the backlash, Yotchanan remains confident in the policy's potential to secure votes, emphasizing that it has been meticulously planned, considering both budgetary and legal aspects. He insists that the initiative aims to transform the economic landscape by promoting a "digital government" and stresses the importance of understanding the needs of the Thai people to make AI beneficial. Yotchanan urges the public to focus on the policy's comprehensive impact rather than isolating individual elements.
According to Thai News Agency, Yotsanu Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate, addressed questions about his campaign strategy, particularly the goal of winning all parliamentary seats in the northeastern provinces despite strong competition. He highlighted the candidates' consistent campaigning efforts and initial positive feedback. Yotsanu emphasized the public's demand for policies and leaders with proven track records, noting the warm reception candidates have received during their visits.
Regarding the "Creating 9 Millionaires a Day, 9 Million Baht Each" policy, Yoschanan explained that its primary goal is data collection to understand price mechanisms. By ensuring everyone, including farmers, the elderly, and informal economy workers, is part of the system, the policy aims to create a digital government that accurately forecasts GDP, income, and expenses. This data-driven approach will enable the development of efficient government assistance policies.
Yoschanan also addressed concerns about the policy's financial feasibility, asserting that supporting the informal economy could make providing 9 million baht to citizens manageable. The matter will be presented to the Election Commission for further evaluation. When questioned about funding sources in the absence of tax implementation, Yotsanan expressed confidence, based on thorough assessments conducted prior to the policy's announcement.
Critics have compared the policy to the unsuccessful "Digital Wallet" project, describing it as a "pipe dream." However, Yoschanan emphasized the policy's focus on establishing a fully digital government system. By gathering comprehensive data on transactions, including those of farmers, the government aims to identify areas requiring support and integrate funds from the informal sector into the formal system. He maintained that the policy is feasible and calculated to be effective.
Yoschanan stated that the program will be conducted annually, with continuous monitoring based on the tax base. Responding to criticisms from former Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Yotsanan highlighted the importance of data centralization and explained that many countries have adopted similar approaches to achieve digital governance. He urged the public to view the project as a data consolidation effort aimed at benefiting the country.
Addressing concerns about the policy's legal implications, Yoschanan assured that it has been thoroughly reviewed and will not face the same restrictions as the digital wallet project. He acknowledged that criticism is inevitable but emphasized the party's commitment to communicating the policy's broader goals, including revenue generation and improved public health initiatives.
Yoschanan addressed questions about his reliance on luck, stating that understanding the needs of over 60 million Thais is crucial for comprehensive support. The policy aims to fill gaps in the tax system and attract citizens into the formal economy. Confident in winning votes, Yotsanan reiterated the party's commitment to data-driven governance and highlighted efforts to overhaul the entire system by providing updated information on expenditures and spending patterns.