A total of 4,506 shops across the country have agreed to accept payments via welfare cards held by low-income earners, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Deputy Commerce Ministry Permanent-Secretary Whichai Phochanakij said the Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Internal Trade are enrolling more shops in the Pracharat Blue Flag retail campaign to provide the sales of affordable products and accept payments via welfare cards for low-income earners.
A total of 4,506 shops have so far enrolled in the campaign out of a target of 20,000 shops nationwide. More are expected to join as the welfare cards will be applicable on 1 October 2017.
Participating shops will receive free installation of card- reading equipment. The government will conclude daily transactions with the use of the state welfare cards, and transfer the money to the shop’s account within three days. Some 3.2 billion baht in transactions is expected monthly.
Eligible low-income earners who hold the welfare card will receive special 200-300 baht monthly discount for purchases of commodities, educational items, and agricultural materials, as well as special fares for public transports and cooking gas.
