On December 6, it was reported that the Thai government has approved Phase 2 of its 10,000 Baht economic stimulus payout. This follows the November 19 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which finalized plans to allocate 40 billion Baht to support 4 million seniors aged 60 and above. The payments are scheduled to be distributed before the Chinese New Year on January 29, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria for Phase 2 Payout
Seniors aged 60 and above must meet the following requirements to qualify for the 10,000 Baht payout:
- Registered with the "Tang Rath" government application.
- Annual income does not exceed 840,000 Baht.
- Total bank savings across all accounts do not exceed 500,000 Baht.
- Not currently serving a prison sentence.
- Not under suspension or subject to repayment for prior government programs.
- Compliant with the terms of other government initiatives.
Disqualifications
- Individuals who failed to register via the "Tang Rath" Super App.
- Those who received the first-phase payment.
- Vulnerable groups who already received financial aid under other programs.
Registration Challenges and Future Options
For seniors unable to register through the app or verify their identity, including vulnerable groups without smartphones, discussions are ongoing. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat mentioned that the government is exploring options to include these individuals:
- A potential late registration for cash distribution.
- Integration into digital wallet-based disbursements if necessary.
The government reassures that all eligible individuals who successfully register will receive their payout of 10,000 Baht.