Thailand to give digital money to vulnerable groups via PromptPay

Thailand announced a significant economic stimulus package targeting vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities and state welfare cardholders. Starting Wednesday, September 25, the government will distribute 10,000 baht per person through the PromptPay system.

The initiative, approved by the Cabinet for the 2024 economic stimulus plan, aims to support 14.55 million recipients. The distribution will be managed by the Comptroller General’s Department and will be transferred either through recipients’ national ID numbers linked to PromptPay or directly into their bank accounts.

The payments will be staggered over several days. On September 25, individuals with disabilities and state welfare cardholders whose ID numbers end in 0 will receive their funds. The following day, those with ID numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 will be paid. On September 27, payments will be made to those with ID numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, or 7. Finally, on September 30, individuals with ID numbers ending in 8 or 9 will get their funds.

Should the initial payment attempt fail, the government has set up a retry mechanism. If the payment is not successfully made, there will be three additional attempts on October 22, November 22, and December 22. After the third retry, if the payment is still unsuccessful, the individual will be considered to have opted out of the programme.

To receive the funds, recipients need to register their national ID numbers with the PromptPay system. This can be done at any bank branch, through mobile banking apps, or at ATMs. When registering at a bank branch, individuals need to bring their bank account passbook and original national ID card. Each national ID number can be linked to only one bank account at a time. If someone wishes to change the linked bank account, they must first unlink the old account before linking the new one.

To check which bank account is linked to their PromptPay registration, individuals can use their bank’s mobile application. By selecting the PromptPay service menu, they can see which account is currently associated with their national ID number.

Disability benefits

In addition to the 10,000 baht payment, the government is also distributing disability benefits through local administrative organisations, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Pattaya City. These benefits will be disbursed in stages from September 25 to 30.

The economic stimulus package is part of Thailand’s broader efforts to support its most vulnerable citizens amid economic challenges. The government hopes that these financial aids will provide much-needed relief and stimulate economic activity within these communities.

“This initiative is crucial for providing immediate financial support to those in need. By leveraging the PromptPay system, we can ensure the efficient and timely distribution of funds.”

For those who have not yet registered for PromptPay or are unsure of their registration status, it is advisable to do so promptly to ensure they receive their payments without any delay. The government has emphasised the importance of registering with the correct bank account to avoid any complications during the payment process, reported KhaoSod.