NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – The first phase of the government’s digital wallet program distributed 10,000 baht to welfare cardholders and people with disabilities on September 25. Early in the morning, residents flocked to ATMs to withdraw their funds, many expressing joy and relief as they now had money for essential expenses like utility bills, food, and debt repayments.
Shortly after midnight, funds were transferred via the government’s PromptPay system to eligible recipients. By morning, several banks saw large crowds forming outside. At the Phimai branch of the Government Savings Bank in Nakhon Ratchasima, despite continuous rain, residents eagerly lined up to withdraw their money. Many happily showed off their cash to reporters.
Mrs. Bod, a 62-year-old woman, shared her excitement at being among the first to receive the 10,000 baht. She plans to use the money to buy rice and milk for her grandchildren, thanking the government for supporting those in need.
Similar scenes unfolded at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) in Nakhon Ratchasima. Some queued at ATMs, while others without cards waited for the bank to open, prepared to manually withdraw their funds. Bank staff ensured smooth transactions, calling recipients by name and counting the full amount of 10,000 baht in front of them.
One mother of a mentally disabled son said that although she had not personally received the funds, she was excited for her son, waking up at 4 a.m. to check if the money had arrived. The 10,000 baht would be a great help to her family, and she plans to use it for household needs.
In Phutthaisong District, Buriram, a grandmother named Supi immediately spent her 10,000 baht on a large sack of rice. Although she initially wanted to hold onto the money for a few days, the necessity of rice made her decide to purchase it right away. She expressed gratitude to the government, planning to save the remaining amount for future needs.
The digital wallet program has provided much-needed relief to low-income families, helping them cover basic necessities amid challenging economic times. (TNA)
