Ethnic people from the mountainous areas of Omkoi district in Chiang Mai spent approximately five hours travelling to register for the digital wallet scheme at the Government Savings Bank in the city.
Nalor Biapapand, a Muser villager from Mon Chong in Chiang Mai, said “We had to travel 16km through difficult terrain from Doi Muser. By the time we get back home, it will probably be around 10:00pm”
Nalor Biapapand, a Muser villager from Mon Chong in Chiang Mai
The villagers had to come to the city because many are illiterate and cannot register by themselves, and many elderly people in the mountains also need assistance with registration, Nalor added.
“I want the money to buy fertiliser, medicine and to invest in growing eggplants. We have no capital. If we receive the digital funds, we will invest it,” she said.
Nakor Samritrakphana, another Muser villager said, “There is no internet signal in the mountains. Normally, we come down every two months. So, we took this opportunity to have officials help us with the registration. Even if there were internet access, we couldn’t register by ourselves, due to illiteracy. We had to leave home at 7am and arrived here by 11:30am. The journey is difficult, especially with the continuous rain. We travelled with six people in total.”
“If we receive the funds, we will use them to buy milk for our children,” she added.
In Ang Thong province, many people, especially the elderly who do not know how to register via the Thang Rath app on smartphones, and those without smartphones, headed to the BAAC for assistance.
The Ang Thong branch, which serves as a support centre, has seen long queues with staff providing explanations and assistance.
Registration for the 10,000 baht digital wallet scheme is open from August 1st to September 15th, 2024, via the Thang Rath app.
There is no cap on the number of participants, but the government estimated that 45-50 million people will register.
To qualify for the 10,000 baht benefit, applicants must be Thai citizens aged 16 or older with a registered residence, an annual income under 840,000 Baht and bank deposits under 500,000 Baht.
They must not be imprisoned, have had their rights suspended, have had funds reclaimed from other government programs or have violated the conditions of other government measures.
