Former Prime Minister of Thailand Reveals Bitcoin Price Prediction, Calls for BTC to his Country!

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called on the country to embrace the rise of Bitcoin and digital currencies. Please provide the source text to be translated. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Pheu Thai Party in Hua Hin on December 13, Thaksin shared his belief that the adoption of Bitcoin could significantly impact the Thai economy, especially the tourism sector. He mentioned that his friends around him predicted that the price of Bitcoin could rise to 850,000 dollars and emphasized the need for the Thai people to be knowledgeable about cryptocurrency trends.

Thaksin stated that he instructed his daughter and the current Thai Prime Minister, Paethongtarn Shinawatra, to explore the potential of Bitcoin for payment, especially in tourist centers such as Phuket and Hua Hin. A sandbox program is being considered to test Bitcoin transactions in these cities and enable tourists to directly spend their Bitcoins.

Thaksin also suggested the idea of ​​issuing stablecoins backed by government bonds as a way to inject liquidity into the economy without printing additional banknotes. He argued that this approach could help Thailand overcome economic challenges while maintaining financial stability. Thaksin said, "The Thai people should consider and understand this trend."

During Thaksin's speech, he warned about possible trade tensions with the United States, especially with the expected return of Donald Trump as the President. He emphasized concerns that due to the trade surplus with the US, Trump may impose higher customs duties on Thailand, and even implied the possibility of using Bitcoin to pay off the US national debt, highlighting the increasing global importance of digital currencies in politics.

The seminar held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hua Hin was part of an initiative by the Pheu Thai Party to enhance the skills of its members of parliament and political staff. Prominent figures of the party, including Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra and former Prime Minister Settha Thavisin, attended the seminar. Discussions focused on Thailand's economic adaptation to global trends, with a focus on digital currency integration and financial innovation.

Thaksin acknowledged that his remarks on cryptocurrency and taxation, including a potential 15% VAT on Bitcoin transactions, have raised concerns. Thaksin explained that his comments were intended to provoke thought and research rather than suggesting immediate policy changes.