“The payment system for the second and third phases is being developed. The Finance Ministry will provide details later,” said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during an event to mark the programme’s start at Government House.
“Today, cash will be in the hands of Thais. A cash injection of more than B145 billion will create a major economic whirlwind,” she said.
“The B10,000 handout will create new opportunities for people. Each family member who receives the payment can pool their money to boost their business.”
Ms Paetongtarn also said the government will go ahead with the digital wallet programme to revitalise the economy and lay the foundation for a digital economy that will facilitate transactions and ensure more transparency, reports the Bangkok Post.
“The government believes the recipients will make the most of the payment. More measures will be rolled out to stimulate the economy,” she said.
The first phase prioritises the distribution of funds to 12.4 million state welfare cardholders and 2.1mn disability cardholders via PromptPay, linked to their national ID numbers.
However, only about 3.1mn welfare cardholders and disabled people - out of a total of 14.5mn - received their B10,000 handout yesterday due to limitations of the PromptPay payment system, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said.
More than 11mn state welfare cardholders have linked PromptPay to their ID numbers, leaving over 1mn in this cohort yet to be linked to the payment system.
Payments to disabled individuals are through the current system where they receive monthly state assistance. State welfare cardholders have been urged to link their national ID numbers to PromptPay by the end of the year to receive the B10,000 handout.