PM to press ceremonial button to launch second phase of stimulus handout

3 million elderly people will receive THB10,000 on Jan 27

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will press a button to remit 10,000 baht to some 3 million elderly people at a ceremony to kick-off the second phase of the economic stimulus handout on Monday.

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said Paetongtarn would preside over the ceremonial event at Government House at 10am, though banks are expected to start transferring money to eligible recipients from the early hours of the day, as in the first phase at the end of September last year. In the first phase, the government remitted 10,000 baht to some 14.5 million state welfare card holders and registered disabled people.Jirayu said the second phase launch would also be attended by several Cabinet members, including Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong. All of them are also deputy prime ministers.

The spokesman said Paetongtarn will also make a teleconference call to speak with some recipients of the second phase.

If there are glitches or if the eligible recipients fail to properly tie their ID card to a bank account for receiving the money, the government will make three more attempts at a later date. After the third attempt, the government would assume that those who had failed to take action to resolve the glitch, were not interested in receiving the money, the spokesman said.

(2025/01/26-00:00)