Business
Thailand’s $15 Billion Digital Wallet Handout Faces Growing Criticism

Former central bank governors in Thailand have joined economic experts in pushing the government to abandon its centerpiece $15 billion Digital Wallet handout policy, saying that it risks inciting inflation and undermining long-term budgetary discipline.
According to a declaration signed by 81 economic experts, the “digital wallet” programme, which would offer most Thais a one-time giveaway of 10,000 baht ($270), will do more harm than good.
Among the prominent signatories were Veerathai Santiprabhob and Tarisa Watanagase, two former Bank of Thailand governors who have joined a growing backlash against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s most ambitious economic plan yet, just two months after he ascended to power to end a political impasse following a May general election.
The statement also mirrored current central bank president Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput’s concerns, calling such expenditure “inappropriate.” Just last week, the Bank of Thailand raised interest rates to their highest level since 2013 in order to ward off inflationary pressures caused in part by Srettha’s planned stimulus.
The digital wallet programme, which is planned to launch in the first quarter of 2024, is Srettha’s key pre-election pledge. Thais over the age of 16 are eligible for the handouts, which must be spent on particular goods and services in their neighbourhoods within a certain time frame.
According to government authorities, the multiplier effect on the economy may be four times the cost of handouts, boosting economic growth to 5% in 2024, up from 2.8% this year.
Srettha, a former property developer who also serves as finance minister, confronts the challenge of improving GDP in the face of dwindling demand for Thai commodities from its biggest trading partner, China, and weak spending by foreign tourists.
Expectations that the gift would function as a fiscal multiplier to spur economy are “deluded,” critics of the plan claimed in an Oct. 5 statement, because the money is best spent as direct public expenditure and investment.
“No one can make money appear. They wrote, “There is no money growing on trees or falling from the sky.” “Ultimately the people will have to pay back the price, whether in the form of higher taxes and/or higher costs of living due to inflation.”
Alternatively, according to Anusorn Tamajai, director of a research centre at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the government should narrow the program’s recipients and limit the handout to those in need.
When asked to react on the academics’ statement, Srettha told Bloomberg on Friday that he was open to hearing other points of view but that it was “impossible” to limit recipients to specific groups.
“We will listen to everybody, including the people who are eagerly asking me when it will be rolled out,” she stated. “We might still adjust it or make it more suitable.”
World Bank Downgrades Thailand’s Economic Growth Forecast
The World Bank issued a report, reducing its economic growth prediction for Thailand this year to 3.4%, suggesting a weaker recovery than other ASEAN countries.
Due to China’s ongoing slowdown and global uncertainties such as high interest rates and sluggish trade, the World Bank has revised its growth predictions for developing countries in the East Asia and Pacific region downward.
Thailand’s economy is recovering at a slower rate than its ASEAN peers, and decreasing exports pose challenges for the Thai economy.
The World Bank has lowered its economic growth forecast for Thailand for this year from 3.9% in April to 3.4% now, following a 2.6% expansion in 2023. In addition, the bank anticipates 3.5% growth in Thailand in 2024, which is slightly lower than the prior projection of 3.6% in April.
Tourism and private consumption will dominate the Thai economy in 2023. However, exports are predicted to fall 2.1% in US dollars due to lower demand from important trading partners.
The delay in forming the Thai administration following recent elections has caused a slowdown in both public and private sector investment.
According to the analysis, tourism and domestic spending are projected to overcome foreign demand deficits, with foreign tourists predicted to return to pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2024.
According to the World Bank, Thai inflation will fall to 1.5% in 2023, which is lower than in most developing market nations. This is because global energy prices have fallen and commodity prices have remained constant.
Thailand’s public debt is expected to remain high in 2023, topping 60%, and the government will return to a current account surplus of 0.5% of GDP this year, ending two consecutive years of deficits in 2021 and 2022.

Business
PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.
This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.
Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.
Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.
The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.
Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.
Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.
The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.
Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.
Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.
Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.
Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.
Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”
Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.
The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.
Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.
The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.
Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”
Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.
The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.
Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.
The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:
SOURCE: CNBC
SEE ALSO:
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
Business
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.
This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.
For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.
This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.
Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”
This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.
This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.
Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.
Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.
Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.
This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.
It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.
Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”
This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.
We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.
Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.
SOURCE: THBL
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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
States Sue TikTok, Claiming Its Platform Is Addictive And Harms The Mental Health Of Children
Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight
Business
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.
According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
SOURCE | AP
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