BANGKOK: The political turmoil unleashed by the dismissal of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is likely to deal another blow to the already struggling economy, where millions of people drowning in debt have been waiting for long-delayed cash handouts.

Southeast Asia’s second largest economy grew 1.5 percent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to a year earlier, slowing from the prior quarter’s 1.7 percent expansion and lagging regional peers.

The tourism-dependent country of 66 million people has struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and major growth engines, including an automobiles sector that is the largest in the region, are still spluttering. Tim Leelahaphan, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank, said the political upheaval had cast doubts about the passage of the 3.75 trillion baht ($107 billion) national budget for fiscal 2025, as well as the 500 billion baht nationwide cash handout that was a flagship Srettha policy.

“Political uncertainty and an unclear political outlook could have adverse implications for fiscal policy,” he said. The caretaker deputy finance minister said on Thursday the budget would not be delayed.

Srettha’s ouster by the constitutional court on Wednesday came a fortnight after his government opened registrations for a scheme to give away 10,000 baht to 50 million Thais, a key election promise of his Pheu Thai party. Over 16 million people had applied to receive the “digital wallet” handout on the day registrations opened, crashing the system but signaling huge demand for the controversial scheme among ordinary Thais hurting from the slowing economy and high levels of personal debt.

Household debt stood at 16.4 trillion baht, or 90.8 percent of GDP, at the end of March, among the highest in Asia. The central bank, which had bickered with Srettha’s administration over the scale of the handout, left its key interest rate unchanged at a more than decade-high of 2.50 percent for a fourth straight meeting in June. It is expected to hold the rate again when it meets on Aug. 21.

Ballooning household debt has also hit the car industry. Thailand is home to the factories of Toyota Motor and Honda Motor, and overall production in the sector has dropped for 11 straight months into June as local sales slumped. Exports of car and car parts also dropped 0.4 percent in the first half of 2024 from a year earlier, with main markets Malaysia and Vietnam down nearly 30 percent on the year, commerce ministry data showed. 

Srettha’s removal underlines the deep fissures between the conservative-royalist establishment, backed by the military, and populist parties like the Pheu Thai. Both camps have been locked in a decades-long tussle, triggering coups and bouts of unrest. In the absence of a lasting resolution to the conflict, Thailand’s long-term prospects remain uncertain, analysts say.

“Thailand has still not found a formula to bridge the country’s deep political divide,” said Gareth Leather, Senior Asia Economist at Capital Economics. “Without one, uncertainty looks set to remain entrenched while economic populism is likely to become worse, with negative repercussions for investor confidence.” Thailand’s stock market has been the worst performing bourse in Asia so far this year, down 9.3 percent. Industrial sentiment also hit its lowest in two years in June, while consumer confidence reached an 11 month low in July.

Parliament will convene on Friday to elect a new prime minister, less than 48 hours after Srettha’s dismissal. A Pheu Thai-led 11-party alliance holds 314 house seats, allowing it elect a prime minister on Friday, providing the coalition remains intact. While on the streets Bangkok there is calm, analysts say the ongoing political drama could raise the risk of unrest. For now, some Thais are simply despondent.

“Just look at the economy now,” said Wilai, 60, a book shop owner who gave only one name. “I think if politics continue like this, the economy won’t be able to move forward.” — Reuters