BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Finance has announced details of its 10,000-baht economic support program for the elderly, which is set to assist around 4 million senior citizens across Thailand. The program, approved by the Cabinet in December 2024 with a budget of 40 billion baht, has been established to boost economic activity and ease living costs for vulnerable groups. Payments will be distributed via PromptPay accounts linked to recipients’ national ID numbers, with the first round scheduled for January 27.
To qualify, recipients must be Thai nationals aged 60 or older as of September 15, 2024, with an annual income not exceeding 840,000 baht and bank deposits under 500,000 baht as of June 30, 2024. They must not reside in government welfare facilities or be incarcerated, and they should not have participated in previous economic stimulus programs for state welfare cardholders or individuals with disabilities. Eligibility can be verified through the “Tang Rath” application starting January 22.
Eligible recipients must ensure their PromptPay accounts are linked to their national ID numbers by January 22 to receive funds. If payments fail during the first round, retries will take place on February 28, March 28, and April 28, 2025, with corresponding deadlines for PromptPay linkage. After the third retry, payments for unlinked accounts will be terminated. Funds can be used without restrictions to purchase essential goods and services, supporting daily living expenses.
The government projects that the program will contribute to economic growth by encouraging local spending and supporting small businesses. It is estimated that the initiative could increase Thailand’s GDP by 0.07% to 0.1% annually while enhancing the well-being of elderly citizens. (NNT)
