Two motorcycle taxi drivers took a moment to register for the much-anticipated digital wallet scheme as they awaited passengers on bustling Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on August 1st. The image speaks volumes, captured perfectly by Apichart Jinakul.
The digital wallet initiative saw an overwhelming response, with at least 20 million eager individuals registering within the first two days. Government spokesperson Chai Watcharonke expressed the administration’s delight at the enthusiastic reception of this flagship policy. By 1pm on Friday, a staggering 20.1 million people had signed up.
“It was remarkable,” Chai noted, highlighting that over two million registrations flooded in within just the first hour on Thursday. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took a moment to applaud the Commerce Ministry for their stellar effort in rolling out the handout scheme. He also praised related economic stimulation policies that promise to invigorate the economy.
Security measures for Tang Rat, the scheme’s backbone application, were discussed at length. Despite the massive traffic, the system stood resilient and did not crash, which was a significant relief. Prime Minister Srettha also engaged in dialogues with relevant agencies, including the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), to address concerns about counterfeit applications.
In tandem, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shared insights on his ministry’s collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. Their joint effort aims to integrate Tang Rat with the ThaiID application for a seamless user experience.
Deputy spokesman Karom Polpornklang issued stern warnings against misleading Facebook pages spreading false registration information. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat reassured the public that registration for smartphone users would remain open until September 15. Those without smartphones wouldn’t be left out either, as their registration would commence the following day.
Addressing one of the public’s concerns, Julapun clarified that participants do not need to change their registered addresses to utilize the handout money, which must be spent within their hometowns. Importantly, the wallet has a six-month validity period after topping up, making it handy for use during festive periods like New Year and Songkran when families gather.
Julapun confirmed that every individual registered would receive their 10,000 baht come December, as slated. However, it wasn’t without critique. Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), voiced apprehensions over potential payment delays. She urged the government to provide explicit information on the payment timeline to manage public expectations better.
In a related development, a trusted source disclosed that Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja had issued formal notices urging Upper House members to convene next week. One of the key items on the agenda is the deliberation of a 122-billion-baht supplementary bill for the handout scheme, set for Tuesday.
Senator Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, the First Deputy Senate Speaker, emphasized that while it’s within the prerogative of Senate members to streamline the three House readings into a single session, they must diligently review the agenda beforehand. The Senate has a 20-day window to approve the supplementary bill following its successful passage through the Lower House on Wednesday.
With so much riding on the success of this digital wallet scheme, it’s clear that the government is pulling out all the stops to ensure it not only meets but exceeds public expectations. It’s a fascinating time in Thailand’s digital and economic transformation, with the whole nation watching closely.
This digital wallet scheme sounds like a dystopian nightmare! The government tracking all your purchases? No thanks!
That’s a bit extreme. It’s just a way to help stimulate the economy and make transactions easier. Every modern economy needs to adapt.
Sure, but at what cost? People need to wake up before it’s too late!
Privacy concerns are valid, but we shouldn’t dismiss the potential positives out of fear alone.
Erin, you’re right. Modernization is essential. Plus, it could cut down on corruption and make government handouts more transparent.
Or it could just make the corruption digital too. Ever think about that?
Amazing news! This will definitely help a lot of people, especially in rural areas.
Exactly! And not having to change their addresses is a big relief too. It’s a move in the right direction.
Yes, it simplifies the process for everyone. Can’t wait to see how it rolls out.
Why spend 122 billion baht on handouts when that money could go towards infrastructure or education?
Handouts can stimulate immediate economic activity, which can be a short-term necessity in tough economic times.
Sure, but it’s not a sustainable long-term solution. We need to invest in future growth, not just quick fixes.
Long-term investments are important, but sometimes quick fixes can buy us the time needed to plan properly.
This is fantastic! But I wonder, will this cause inflation in the short term?
Good point. More spending money in the economy could cause prices to go up. Supply needs to meet the new demand.
Exactly, and I hope the government has a plan to manage that aspect as well.
Finally, the government does something right. This could really help small businesses.
This whole thing seems rushed. How can they guarantee that there won’t be any technical glitches?
It’s encouraging that the system didn’t crash despite the massive traffic. They seem prepared.
This is clearly a political move to secure votes. Let’s not kid ourselves.
I’m concerned about the elderly who may not be tech-savvy. How are they going to manage this digital wallet?
They mentioned registration for non-smartphone users starts later. Hopefully, there will be assistance available for them.
Everyone’s worried about the technical stuff, but what about cybersecurity threats? Is this really safe?
They discussed strong security measures and are working with investigation agencies. But yes, cybersecurity is always a concern.
I still think they need to release more details about these measures. People have a right to know how their data will be protected.
Who cares about safety? Free money!
It’s a nice initiative. At least the government is trying something new to boost the economy.
I don’t trust the government with my money, even if it’s just a digital wallet.
No one’s forcing you to use it, Cassie. But for many, it’s a helpful tool.
This kind of digital initiative is long overdue. Thailand needs to catch up with the rest of the world.
Sounds like another way for politicians to line their own pockets. I wonder how much of that 122 billion will actually make it to the people.
This should have been done years ago! Our economy is crying for innovative solutions.
Better late than never. At least they’re doing it now.