The Finance Ministry will consider opening a new round of registration for the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, after the first day of registration saw all 20 million available slots filled.
Responding to growing calls for the government to increase the number of participants in the scheme, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithaprapas said while the first phase of the programme is unlikely to be expanded due to budget constraints, the government will consider increasing the quota for the next phase, possibly in December this year.
He said approved participants must make their first purchase by Nov 11 to retain their rights, noting those who fail to spend the stimulus before the required period may see their slot reallocated to other registrants.
When asked to explain why some taxpayers will receive 2,000 baht instead of 2,400 baht, Mr Ekniti said the amount is determined based on the recipient’s latest tax filing with the Revenue Department.
The minister said more than 300,000 shops have already registered to join the programme, and additional identity checks for participating merchants have been introduced to protect against abuses and fraud.
Mr Ekniti said the government was pleased with the overwhelming response and that the Pao Tang mobile application operated smoothly despite heavy traffic.
According to figures released by Krungthai Care on its Facebook page, about 5 million people registered within the first 30 minutes of the registration opening at 6am on Monday.
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat later reported that more than 13 million people signed up within two hours.
By 4pm, the official website www.?????????????.com announced that all 20 million slots had been filled.
The first day of registration saw long queues outside many Krungthai Bank branches as many people sought help with identity verification, especially those who have recently changed mobile phone numbers or forgotten their passwords since the last co-payment scheme.
A 63-year-old songtaew driver identified only as Sommai said it took her half an hour to register successfully due to high traffic. She said it was a pity that the scheme does not cover fuel expenses, as it would have saved her a lot of money.
When asked if the government is planning to launch the second phase of the scheme soon, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the interior minister, said the government will quickly implement projects which benefit the public.
The scheme will cover orders on food delivery services from Nov 7 to Dec 31.
Delivery platform Grab on Monday announced support for the co-payment scheme, saying it will reduce commission fees for restaurants that register on Nov 3 — the first day of registration for food delivery services — to 7%.
Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, country head of Grab Thailand, said that those who register on the following days will be charged a 9% commission.
Under the co-payment scheme, welfare cardholders will receive an additional 1,700 baht on top of their existing 300-baht monthly allowance, totalling 2,000 baht.
About 9 million people outside the tax system will receive 2,000 baht each, with spending capped at 200 baht per day. Another 11 million taxpayers will be entitled to 2,400 baht each under the same conditions.