KAMPHAENG PHET, Thailand – Thailand’s 10,000 baht cash handout program continues to stimulate local economic activities, with beneficiaries flocking to ATMs and markets across the country.
Following Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s kickoff of the cash handout program on Sept 25 to transfer funds to 14.5 million welfare cardholders and the disabled, the Ministry of Finance on Monday successfully transferred 10,000 baht to 2.26 million welfare cardholders whose 13-digit citizen ID numbers end in 8 or 9.
In Kamphaeng Phet province, long queues formed outside Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) branches as welfare cardholders rushed to withdraw the full amount, citing fears of potential system glitches.
Meanwhile, local markets across the country reported a surge in sales, with vendors overwhelmed by customers spending their newly acquired cash.
A fish vendor in Yasothon province said her daily earnings had more than quadrupled since the program began, leading to change shortages as customers paid primarily with 1,000 baht notes.
While the program has been a boon for many, some recipients have faced technical difficulties, such as ATM outages in Krabi province due to high demand.
The cash handout, aimed at stimulating the economy and providing relief to vulnerable households, appears to be achieving its intended goals.
However, it has also highlighted underlying financial challenges faced by many Thai households, as some recipients admitted to using the funds to repay debts. (TNA)
