BANGKOK: Thailand’s parliament on Wednesday started debating a bill to allow the government to borrow an additional 500 billion baht (US$16 billion) to help the tourism-reliant country deal with its latest and biggest coronavirus outbreak so far.
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy is expected to grow only 1.5per cent-2.5per cent this year after last year’s 6.1per cent slump, with tourism still struggling, the government predicts.
Given the outbreak has not yet been contained, there is an urgent and unavoidable need for more funding to help quickly restore the economy to normal, Finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told the House of Representatives, which plans to debate the bill until Thursday.
Thailand’s current outbreak has accounted for most of its coronavirus infections and fatalities, while it started its mass vaccination drive on Monday.
(US$1 = 31.14 baht)
(Reporting by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Ed Davies)
Source: Reuters
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