Trump has begun another trade war. Here's a timeline of how we got here
Canada's leader laments lost friendship with US in town that sheltered stranded Americans after 9/11
Chinese EV giant BYD's fourth-quarter profit leaps 73%
You're an American in another land? Prepare to talk about the why and how of Trump 2.0
Chalk talk: Star power, top teams and No. 5 seeds headline the women's March Madness Sweet 16
Purdue returns to Sweet 16 with 76-62 win over McNeese in March Madness
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's government will implement the third phase of its 450 billion baht ($13.4 billion) stimulus scheme in the second quarter of 2025, and will also discuss more measures later this month, a deputy finance minister said on Wednesday.
The "digital wallet" handout scheme and other government measures will help spur the economy this year, Julapun Amornvivat told reporters.
The digital wallet scheme provides 10,000 baht ($300) each to an estimated 45 million people to spend in their localities within six months. So far about 17.5 million people have received payments since it started last September.
The third phase of the handout, which Julapun has previously said would start in April, will be discussed along with other economic measures at a meeting chaired by the prime minister, he said.
"The first two phases of the scheme have stimulated the economy well," Julapun said.
Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told Reuters last week that the impact of the handouts and other stimulus was less than expected and that growth this year could miss the central bank's forecast of 2.9%.
The finance ministry has predicted growth of 3% for 2025.
($1 = 33.72 baht)
(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon and Orathai Sriring; Editing by John Mair)
