Q2: ‘Real’ digital wallets to come into play

Yesterday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reiterated that the digital wallet scheme would continue, as stated in the party’s election manifesto.

Her reassurance followed an announcement on Monday that the third phase of the handout programme, due to commence in the second quarter, would cover 2.7 million 16 to 20-year-olds.

Ms Paetongtarn said the next phase of the giveaway of 10,000 baht per person would be distributed and spent through digital wallets instead of cash, as the system to facilitate this would be ready for launch by then.

” He added, “The policy was based on stimulating the economy and encouraging technological adoption. But it took time for the development, and since people had immediate financial difficulties, we distributed the first phase in cash,” she said.

She also encouraged the public to download the official application, stating that the digital wallet scheme will provide the government with a database and enable a more effective distribution of financial aid in the future.

The negative list of 19 products, such as lottery tickets, alcoholic and tobacco drinks, cannabis, vouchers and cash cards and communication devices has been excluded from under the scheme for easier management, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said yesterday.

Mr Paopoom confirmed that no products are now banned from the scheme, while announcing that eight kinds of businesses would be excluded from the third phase — petrol stations, restaurants, entertainment venues, lottery shops and liquor and tobacco shops.