Monporn Charoensri fired back at the Bhumjaithai spokesperson, questioning who truly distorted the facts. She affirmed her speech presented the truth to the public regarding the scrapping of the digital wallet funds and criticized the spokesperson for unmanly behavior in filing complaints. She also asked the Election Commission whether promises to provide funds were broken, referring to Anutin's announcement about repaying the public's 2,400 baht debt.
On 3 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Monporn Charoensri, former Deputy Minister of Transport and candidate for MP in Nakhon Phanom's 2nd district, from the Pheu Thai Party, stated that following accusations by the Bhumjaithai party spokesperson alleging her speech distorted facts about the digital wallet funds being scrapped, she asked who is really distorting facts. Instead of clarifying, why did Anutin’s government not continue the digital wallet policy, instead switching to Khon La Khrueng, fearing loss of political credibility and lacking courage in politics?
I respectfully inform the public that at every speech platform, I have discussed the Pheu Thai Party government’s policies over the past two years, including efforts such as the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme benefiting the people. Regarding the digital wallet project, people have asked why the original policy to provide digital wallets to all Thais aged 16 and over was not fully implemented, with some groups excluded after two phases. I explained honestly that as a government, we had to manage the budget responsibly, not just for digital wallets but other urgent needs. Therefore, the digital wallet funds were allocated and disbursed in phases. The first phase went to those holding citizen ID cards, including low-income earners, disabled persons, and disadvantaged groups. Later, during the transition from Prime Minister Srettha to Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, budget priorities for 2025–2026 were reassessed.
We planned to allocate remaining funds to people who had not yet received them. However, during the interim when Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra was not in office and the government changed to Prime Minister Anutin’s administration, there was a remaining central budget. We understood that by the end of 2025, there might be a chance to allocate digital wallet funds to remaining groups. I have been straightforward in explaining this, without distortion or slander. What I said reflects the truth and budgetary procedures. During budget deliberations in 2025, the cabinet acknowledged leftover central funds and would consider whether to continue the digital wallet program. This is standard budgetary protocol: the cabinet requests central funds through the prime minister, which must be approved by the entire cabinet.
The central budget requires cabinet approval from all coalition parties. When I was in the government, I witnessed Bhumjaithai, as a coalition member, voting in favor without objections. However, after the parliament was dissolved, the public asked why some groups did not receive benefits. I explained honestly that since 2026, we were no longer in government, and Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration repurposed the approved budget to launch the Khon La Khrueng Plus program. This is within the authority of the government and cabinet. This is the truth. The Bhumjaithai spokesperson should explain to the public why the digital wallet program was not continued and why it was replaced by Khon La Khrueng Plus. The public deserves to know the benefits of this new program. Yet, Khon La Khrueng Plus still cannot reach all people, leaving millions unserved.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Anutin declared to the public that when he returns as prime minister, he will repay the 2,400 baht debt owed to the people. Isn't this a promise to provide funds? I urge the Election Commission to address this question.
Monporn added that as a member of parliament, she has opportunities to communicate with the public and clarify how funds were used and what the government did with the money. The spokesperson should use this platform to explain to the public and foster understanding. Filing a complaint with the Election Commission about her speech, she said, is unfair. She believes that when a politician openly explains budget expenditures truthfully, that is the real story. Meanwhile, the Bhumjaithai spokesperson should clarify whether their statements benefit the public.