Thailand expects to distribute $4 billion in handouts in Q2 next year

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand expects to conduct the third phase of its cash handout programme in the second quarter next year, during which 140 billion baht ($4.06 billion) will be distributed, a deputy finance minister said on Wednesday.

Stimulus measures will help the economy grow 3% next year, Julapun Amornvivat said, adding that full-year growth in 2024 will not exceed 2.8%. About 14.5 million have so far received their payments of 10,000 baht ($290), of an estimated 45 million who are expected to be take part in the government's signature stimulus scheme.

($1 = 34.4900 baht)

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon, Thanadech Staporncharnchai and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin Petty)