More changes likely if digital wallet delayed

Genetically deserving individuals anticipated receiving cash starting the following month

A vendor at a market in Bangkok uses a smartphone to register for the Tang Rat app, in preparation to receive 10,000 baht in digital cash from the government. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
In order to obtain 10,000 ringgit in online income from the government, a seller at a market in Bangkok uses a smartphone to sign up for the Tang Rat app. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

The funds bureau announced on Tuesday that the 10, 000-baht online budget plan will get put on hold until the following fiscal year, which will begin on October 1.

Information of the money handout plan will have to be clarified again once the new case it is formed, said Chalermphol Pensoot, the department’s director.

The Pheu Thai Party’s personal plan is to distribute 10,000 baht to as many as 50 million people, but getting money for it has been a difficult decision. Additionally, many critics hold the program against it because it does n’t give the party the promised economic lift.

According to Mr. Chalermphol, those who are truly in need would probably be the first to qualify for the funds.

That would include the around 14 million people who hold state security cards, and the rest who are people with disabilities.

He claimed that the costs would be covered by the 2024 governmental budget, which approved 122 billion ringgit, and the northern funds, which approved 20 billion ringgit.

The Ministry of Finance has yet to approve the last amount, but it was expected to be distributed in September.

Mr. Chalermphol claimed that the government is on record to start the program by the following month because the subscription procedure has already been completed.

” But, if the flyer cannot be implemented on occasion, the project will get put on hold and a new budget planning must be re-drafted if the project is is to resume,” he said.

Another 30 million registered individuals may become eligible to receive the money when the fiscal resources for 2025 comes into effect in October.

However, these individuals must still be thoroughly checked in order to prevent unintended repetition of payment. When the program is available, the cash will be distributed in electronic pockets, said Mr Chalermphol.