PUBLISHED: 22 Apr 2024 at 04 :20
The government should review the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme’s requirements, according to the Move Forward Party ( MPF ) recommendation.
The group hosted a workshop on the program on Saturday, with Sirikanya Tansakul, MFP lieutenant head, leading the conversation.
Information of the system were made public by the government on April 10. It will help those aged 16 or older who make less than 70,000 baht per quarter and who have less than 500,000 ringgit in their accounts to use online money to purchase goods for small businesses.
Ms. Sirikanya posed a query about the concept of a small business that she has not already identified as being specific. The state defines small businesses around as shops excluding supermarkets, office stores, discount stores and retail stores. She claimed that the description may include large-scale convenience store chains because it was too broad.
She said this added more restrictions on the actual small businesses, such as the smaller grocery stores or sellers. These included a condition that those small businesses or suppliers first need to have their tax registration and get approved by the Finance Ministry before joining the program.
Additionally, they wo n’t be able to send money out immediately after a customer purchases a good or service from their digital wallet.
These small businesses must use the digital currency that their customers give them to purchase goods or services in supermarkets, reduction shops, or VAT-free retail locations, as opposed to new markets. Thus, it would be those second-tier shops, which are usually big gamers, who benefit from the system, she said.
To get smaller businesses, the requirements for store applications may be changed to discourage spending on larger corporations. Ms. Sirikanya claimed there is enough time to review the criteria because the government does not intend to start register for at least three months.
The government plans to use the” Tang Rat” app for the program. But, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the additional MFP MP on the screen, doubted the application would be available by the third quarter.
Individually, Sanan Angubolkul, president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the faster the program starts, the better for the economy, but some components still need to be discussed.
He also suggested that the government use the” Pao Tang” program instead of creating a new one because the customers may be familiar with it.