Among the beneficiaries of the government’s Digital Wallet program is 66-year-old Suwit Inrat, affectionately known as Uncle Ood. As a state welfare cardholder, Suwit was excited to receive a 10,000 baht grant, which he used to start a small business selling grilled squid. The funds were deposited into his Krungthai Bank account early in the morning, around 2 a.m., and Suwit wasted no time putting them to use. With just 400 baht, he purchased ingredients for his grilled squid venture, pricing each skewer at 10 baht. Already equipped with a grill and cooler, he was eager to get his business off the ground.
Suwit’s first day of sales was a success, with supportive customers, many of them familiar faces, buying out his entire stock before sunset. Energized by the warm reception, he now plans to reinvest part of his earnings to grow his business while saving a portion for personal expenses. Grateful for the opportunity, Suwit thanked the government, saying the program has helped him and others invest in their livelihoods. “This support has made a real difference,” Suwit said. “I can now provide for myself and contribute to my community.”
This initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to support vulnerable groups through the Digital Wallet program, which has disbursed funds to approximately 14.5 million recipients, including state welfare cardholders and individuals with disabilities. From September 25 to 30, the government transferred 10,000 baht to eligible individuals through the PromptPay system linked to their national ID cards.
