Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced that a 10,000 baht digital wallet scheme would be rolled out in September, with a focus on vulnerable groups in society. The Nation.
Speaking at the Nation Group event, Prime Minister Thaksin highlighted that 13.5 million vulnerable people and 1 million people with disabilities would be the first recipients of the 10,000 baht grants.
He further noted that the second phase of payments, expected to cover up to 30 million people, will begin in October, subject to the completion of the blockchain system that will facilitate the digital wallet scheme.
The first round of funding in September will come from the Supplemental Appropriations Act and the central budget, with the fiscal 2025 budget allocated in the second round in October.
Thaksin stressed that the initiative is aimed at boosting the country’s digitalisation efforts.
Responding to opposition to the policy, he stressed its importance in preventing financial crises like the Tom Yum Goong crisis.
Initially, the scheme aimed to cover 50 million people by September 30, focusing on those with a monthly income of less than 70,000 baht and bank account balances of less than 500,000 baht.
Some details of the policy, such as eligible stores and specific payment locations, were not reviewed during the event, but were previously announced. stated The scheme will exclude purchases of alcohol, tobacco, fuel and online shopping to ensure funds are spent on essential goods and services within the local community.
The announcement was Thaksin’s first public speech since being pardoned by the King earlier this week.
Thavisin was removed from office by Thailand’s Constitutional Court less than a year after taking power.
After his dismissal, Pathontharn ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra’s 37-year-old daughter has been elected as Thailand’s youngest ever prime minister.
She will be the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the position, following her father Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.
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