He added that the Cabinet wanted to give top priority to urgent measures that could quickly lift the economy.

The Cabinet will consider two proposals tomorrow – the refund of Bt3,000 of electricity meter deposits per household and soft-loan measures to help the tourism and hotel sectors.

The Council of Economic Ministers had on March 6 endorsed a Finance Ministry proposal to give low-income people Bt2,000 each via the e-payment channel.

Minister Uttama Savanayana said after the meeting that there would be a payment of Bt1,000 per month for two months to low-income earners, farmers and people who do freelance work. The handouts will begin in April.