Thailand Deploys $1.4 Billion Stimulus to Spur Consumption

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government has green-lit a $1.36 billion consumption stimulus program to boost a weakening economy and its popularity ahead of a general election.

The so-called co-payment program, endorsed by the Thai cabinet Tuesday, is essentially a government subsidy on the costs of some food, goods and services. It’s a flagship policy of Anutin, who became the country’s leader last month and promised to announce an election by January.

While the subsidy is part of a populist push to appease voters, it comes at a time when Thailand’s economy is in dire need of a lift. Economists ...