#Thailand’s coup leader, and junta chief turned elected prime minister, has given himself sweeping emergency powers to fight the coronavirus outbreak as discontent grows.

This week he confirmed a US$58 billion (S$82.11 billion) stimulus package to mitigate the economic fallout, after earlier efforts were described as insufficient for a country heading into recession, even before the virus outbreak.

Back then Prayuth and his establishment backers faced escalating protests from critics who still dispute the fairness of a rigged election last year that led to his return as leader.

“There’s a lot of pent up frustration toward current rulers,” said Mr Paul Chambers, a politics expert at Thailand’s Naresuan University.

And now Prayuth will want to claim his calm and assured leadership has control of the virus situation. But he will be damaged if infections and economic losses spiral.

Which, of course, they will. And that is the reason only an idiot believes the forecasts and data supplied by this Thai government.

Prayuth has imposed a state of emergency since April under which mass gatherings are banned, in the hope, he says, that social distancing will help control a surge in infections.

But it is also quiet effective in stopping groups of people protesting his incompetence.

And the lockdown gives the former army chief a chance to increase his power if he can defeat the outbreak. Or if he can at least convince the Thai people he did anyway.

The task is a big one. While key South-east Asian economies are set to shrink or slow this year, the outlook for Thailand is among the most challenging.

The Bank of Thailand forecasts the deepest contraction since the 1990s as tourism and exports slump.

The nation is the only one in the region to experience several increases in poverty since 2000, according to the World Bank.

Under the emergency decree, Thailand’s borders are shut to foreigners and social gatherings are banned. Prayuth has power over government ministries, and has made the military the primary security arm for the recently set up Covid-19 response center.

“It’s been three months since the first case was detected, and only now have we started seeing tough measures,” said Ms Saratsanun Unnopporn, deputy spokeswoman for Pheu Thai, the country’s biggest opposition party.

“Different ministries can’t seem to cooperate under normal circumstances, and when facing a crisis, that issue became clearer.”

MASKS, TESTING KITS

But a government spokeswoman, Narumon Pinyosinwat, said the fight against Covid-19 will be smoother with Mr Prayuth directly in charge of the response. She added that the premier is working to resolve pending issues, such as the availability of face masks and testing kits.

However, it is well-known to most curious people that these two things do nothing at all to prevent the spread of virus.

Neither does alcohol bans or closing convenience stores at 10pm. All this sort of response does is annoy people.

Prayuth has ruled with absolute executive authority after seizing power in a coup in 2014.

He returned as premier last year under electoral rules crafted during his junta’s tenure that rigged the outcome in his favour. His ruling coalition’s four-year term lasts until 2023.

Much now depends on the path of the outbreak and the government’s steps to help struggling households. Or how tightly he can keep the people tied down.

Seasoned observers will not be surprised if the lock-downs last beyond the date of the next election, or if that is ‘postponed’ for ‘safety reasons.’

About 24 million people – more than one-third of the population – registered for cash handouts designed to soften the blow of the coronavirus outbreak.

But the government now say that only 1.7 million people have applied legally, the rest were fraudulent claims and will receive nothing. Most of them will be prosecuted.

This will be the first real test because it will be the first time the people actually see how Prayut’s government works. Or doesn’t, as the case may be.

Because it affects them directly in cash terms. Cash really is KING in Thailand, especially cash that you haven’t had to do much for.

Although they are now being told this relief payment will be a one-time cash handout and not monthly aid, as they were promised.

Thai people are starting to starve in the rural areas and ex-pats are preparing for the inevitable CRIME-WAVE.

The handouts are just one element of the 1.9 trillion baht (S$82.28 billion) stimulus package to assist blue-collar workers, farmers and small to medium-sized firms. The plan also allocates funds to help stabilise financial markets.

And soon enough the Thai middle-class will realise that governments don’t actually generate any money. There is no magic money tree.

Taxing THEIR INCOME is where the money for all these handouts, stimulus packages, bail-outs and brand new military equipment will come from.

And if they haven’t got an income to be taxed in a few months time then the price of their beer and petrol will go up to pay for it all.

And when that penny finally drops the Chang will start hitting the fan. – Albert Jack