Thailand to spend nearly 1.5 billion USD on welfare cards
The government of Thailand is to spend 50 billion baht (1.5 billion USD) on the state welfare card scheme in fiscal 2023, according to Thai Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat.
Bangkok (VNA) - The government of Thailand is to spend 50 billion baht (1.5 billion USD) on the state welfare cardscheme in fiscal 2023, according to Thai Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat.
Santi said on January 6 that theministry is working with 43 state agencies to examine the qualifications of 21.5million people that registered for the cards during the latest registrationperiod to ensure the scheme provides financial assistance to targetedvulnerable groups.
There are 13.5 millioncardholders at present and all existing cardholders are required to re-registerfor any new rounds.
The government stands ready toprovide additional budget for the scheme if the planned budget of 50 billionbaht is insufficient, said Santi.
He expressed the belief that inthe future the number of cardholders should decline as the economy recovers,with many people who were laid off during the pandemic likely to get rehired.
Eligible cardholders 📖must beThai citizens, aged 18 or older, with income of less than 100,000 baht/personper year. The average household income for registrants must not exceed 100,000baht/person per year./.
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