10,000 Baht Cash Handout Announced for Thai Youth Aged 16 to 20

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Money and Banking

 

In a bid to stimulate economic activity among the younger generation, the Thai government has announced a new phase of its cash handout scheme, distributing 10,000 Baht to nearly 2.7 million young Thais aged 16 to 20. This decision marks the third phase of the initiative, aimed specifically at fostering technology-driven spending habits among tech-savvy youths.

 

Under this latest policy shift, the Economic Stimulus Policy Board opted to focus solely on the younger demographic rather than the initially broader target group of all Thais aged 16 to 60.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul explained that the decision aligns better with the current economic context and the intended digital focus of the programme. Young people, being more attuned to technological advancements, are expected to integrate seamlessly with the digital currency system.

 

Dismissing rumours of inadequate funding, Paopoom assured that the government has secured a substantial budget of 150 billion Baht dedicated to the cash handout initiative. This reassures the public of the scheme’s continuity and the government’s commitment to stimulating economic recovery through targeted financial assistance.

 

In earlier phases of the programme, funds were allocated to disabled individuals and state welfare cardholders, followed by citizens over 60 years of age. Today's decision marks a pivot towards engaging the younger population, with an emphasis on digital financial literacy.

 

Interestingly, the third phase comes with relaxed restrictions on the types of products that can be purchased using the digital handout, though significant limitations remain regarding the outlets that can participate.

Notable exclusions include gold shops and liquor stores, while convenience store purchases of liquor are permissible with the digital currency. This strategic curation ensures that the funds circulate within sectors that provide broader economic benefits.

 

Additionally, the government has loosened previous constraints on converting digital money back into physical currency, enhancing the flexibility and attractiveness of participation in the programme.

 

The government anticipates that this targeted financial infusion will create a "whirlwind effect," boosting consumer spending and thereby invigorating the Thai economy. As young Thais take centre stage in this economic stimulation effort, the hope is for a ripple effect that translates into broader economic upturns.

 

This adjustment demonstrates a strategic shift in government policy, going beyond mere relief payments and aiming to nurture technological engagement and economic revival through digital currency adoption among Thailand's youth, reported Thai PBS.

 

-- 2025-03-11

 

 

[JoePai]

In a bid to stimulate economic activity among the younger generation

 

The Thai Gov that stupid ?  Suspect it will be spent in the first few days on drugs/booze/clothes and the like - oh and maybe a new (longer?) knife or three ?

[Tropicalevo]

The expression 'pizzing into the wind' comes to mind. 

[watchcat]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

The government anticipates that this targeted financial infusion will create a "whirlwind effect," boosting consumer spending

 

Good luck with that, they'll spend the money on E-ciggs and ganbling on football

[lordgrinz]

Recommencing the vote buying?

[JAG]

How long will it take to implement?

 

Is it "inclusive" of 20?

 

Daughter turns 20 in July!

 

Mind you, she would only spend it on cats! Back in the floods she would only leave her flooded apartment block when the Army agreed she could take her cats on leashes!

[ikke1959]

What a waste of money... They will not stimulate the economy with this money.. This group should be excluded, but I suppose kids friends and family of the inventors of this wallet scheme want that they got the money too.. But when is group who can stimulate the economy get their money?? people between 25 and 60???? Or is there no money left anymore?

[dinsdale]

Absolutely ridiculous giving 16 and 17 year old's 10K. 

[Harrisfan]

Give them gold held in a bank that they can access age 28

[Stiddle Mump]

Good plan.

 

Make the youngsters realise that money don't grow on tree anymore. Who needs trees, when there is a benevolent government anyway?

[ronster]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Notable exclusions include gold shops and liquor stores, while convenience store purchases of liquor are permissible with the digital currency. This strategic curation ensures that the funds circulate within sectors that provide broader economic benefits

Broader economic benefits ??

So all the money going into chains like Tesco , 7-11 etc is a benefit 😂

 

[TheAppletons]

This is starting to get irritating.

 

When are the 3-6 year olds going to get their 10k handouts?

[thesetat]

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Absolutely ridiculous giving 16 and 17 year old's 10K. 

WE are thinking same here. Why give a teen so much money? It does not matter if the child can only use the money at certain stores. Those vouchers can be easily sold as well as being used for the things blacklisted. It only takes the sale as being shown for a certain allowable item but can easily be given anything they sell. 

This method of vote buying should not be allowed. Especially to kids who are still in school. 

[damian]

So how about a report on how well the last handout stimulated the economy before you start splashing it about to teenagers.  

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, damian said:

So how about a report on how well the last handout stimulated the economy before you start splashing it about to teenagers.  

 

I'd bet it stimulated alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, and the CP groups bottom line, as to the economy as a whole? It will go down in history as nothing more than another Thaksin vote buying scam, a net loss to the economy. 

[Chris BKK]

Good maybe the teenagers will use it to pay school related expenses and save their parents the pain of finding that money

[redwood1]

Hello local weed shop......

[redwood1]

1 minute ago, Chris BKK said:

Good maybe the teenagers will use it to pay school related expenses and save their parents the pain of finding that money

 

Yea right......This money will be burnt in 24-48 hours...

[watchcat]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai government has announced a new phase of its cash handout scheme, distributing 10,000 Baht to nearly 2.7 million young Thais aged 16 to 20

 

They didn't say what year....

[impulse]

They're about 3 weeks early with that announcement.

 

[jcmj]

Make those kids work for it. Wonder why they are lazy. 

[trainman34014]

About the only benefit i can see is it might stop them stealing from Family, Friends and Farang's !

[ujayujay]

Hooray, lets go buy Yabaa

[Ralf001]

11 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Hooray, lets go buy Yabaa

 

Nowt wrong with some young meth flange !

[Dan O]

8 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Good luck with that, they'll spend the money on E-ciggs and ganbling on football

It will be a whirlwind spending spree until its gone then back to normal. Not sure how they think people with no money will suddenly have money after a free handout and continue to spend. 

[Andre0720]

On the positive side. A bit lacking on so many forums.

 

It will stimulate the economy, as many Motorbikes shops will be busy modifying exhausts, to stimulate (again) speed and noise.

It will stimulate the economy, it will increase the workload of those illegal cigarette vendors, (where no ID is required), and perhaps some Super Cheap Minimarts  as well.

It will stimulate the economy as some of the thousands of cannabis vendors which certainly have some difficulty getting a share of the market.

 

Well, certainly no one could do worse in the field of responsible spending than Biden. But let me think now. Is this last comment positive or negative....

Certainly someone will help me out on this....

[Purdey]

What is the system that kids can use to buy drugs or gamble with the money? I don't get some of the comments saying they will.

[kingstonkid]

10 hours ago, JoePai said:

In a bid to stimulate economic activity among the younger generation

 

The Thai Gov that stupid ?  Suspect it will be spent in the first few days on drugs/booze/clothes and the like - oh and maybe a new (longer?) knife or three ?

Anybodyknow where I can get shares of Eve and Boy as well as H & M Pomelo and other girsl favorites LOL

[proton]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Absolutely ridiculous giving 16 and 17 year old's 10K. 

 

If they do this they can claim it was not vote buying