BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced on Tuesday (Dec 24) that approximately 4 million elderly people who registered for a 10,000-baht handout will receive the funds by the end of next month.
Speaking to reporters before the weekly Cabinet meeting, Pichai stated that the 10,000-baht handout proposal was set to be discussed during Tuesday’s Cabinet session.
“The project will proceed according to the original timeline. The elderly will receive the funds no later than Jan 29,” Pichai confirmed.
The Pheu Thai Party initially pledged to distribute 10,000 baht to 50 million Thais aged 16 and older via a digital wallet scheme. However, due to budget constraints, the number of recipients was reduced to 45 million.
The scheme was subsequently adjusted to provide cash handouts to 14.5 million state welfare cardholders and registered disabled persons by the end of September after delays in setting up the digital wallet system.
In its latest iteration, the government plans to distribute 10,000 baht to individuals aged 60 and above, provided they have registered for the handout through the Thang Rath application. - The Nation/ANN
