On Tuesday, the government’s economic stimulus committee, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, approved a cash handout of 10,000 baht for approximately 4 million elderly citizens by the Lunar New Year in early February.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced after the meeting that this payment would be the second phase of the government’s handout program, costing around 40 billion baht. He emphasized that priority would be given to those most in need.
Assistance for other groups will follow, with payments expected between April and June of next year, according to Pichai.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat clarified that recipients must register for the handout via the Thang Rath app, and those who received the first round of handouts are not eligible. To qualify, elderly recipients must have a monthly income of no more than 70,000 baht and savings not exceeding 500,000 baht.
The handouts will be distributed by the Lunar New Year, and additional information on arrangements for elderly citizens without smartphones will be announced shortly.
Previously, the coalition’s core Pheu Thai Party had proposed distributing 10,000 baht in digital currency to 45 million people, but this plan has since been revised.
