State welfare card holders and persons with disabilities will be the recipients of the first phase of the Government’s economic stimulus program 2024 (digital wallet scheme).

The Cabinet on 17 September 2024 approved the first phase of the program, aimed at easing the cost of living burden for the target groups and stimulating the economy in the latter part of 2024.

These target groups include 12.4 million people with state welfare cards and about 2.15 million disabled persons. Each of them will receive a handout of 10,000 baht, starting from 25 September 2024 onward. 

The Government hopes that the program will enable these two vulnerable groups of 14.5 million people to have access to necessary spending for their better quality of life.

It will also boost the circulation of 145.5 billion baht in the economic system, while expanding the country’s GDP growth this year, as well. Moreover, when consumers have greater purchasing power, there will be more production, trade, employment, and other economic activities that will enable the Government to collect more income from taxes in later stages.  

The first phase of the program had received a green light from such key agencies as the Office of the Council of State, the Bank of Thailand, and the National Economic and Social Development Council. The Government affirmed that the program will strictly be implemented, in accordance with the law.