Thailand Explores Local, Foreign Borrowing of $30.6 Billion to Finance Stimulus

  • Government to raise debt as part of $58 billion stimulus plan
  • Multilateral lenders, foreign-currency bonds among options
The popular nightlife spot in Asoke has been almost completely shut down due to coronavirus lockdown measures in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 30.Photographer: Andre Malerba/Bloomberg
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Thailand said it will explore domestic and foreign funding options for planned borrowing of 1 trillion baht ($30.6 billion) to finance a major economic stimulus program.

The debt is a key element of a 1.9-trillion-baht package to help low-income households, farmers and companies reeling from the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy may contract 5.3% this year, according to the Bank of Thailand.