The Commerce Ministry has revealed the final preparations concerning the registration of recipients and participating shops for the digital wallet handout scheme.
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said up to 1.6 million vendors are ready to join the digital wallet scheme which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter as scheduled.
Mr Phumtham said relevant agencies have been assigned to carry out necessary operations for launching the project, including detailing the conditions for receiving rights and measures in an effort to prevent corruption.
These include the Business Development Department and the Internal Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry as well as other related agencies.
The vendor database has been sent to the Digital Government Agency (DGA) to be compiled in a central database.
The DGA, which is responsible for digital ID registration, said the Tang Rat app is now ready so eligible digital wallet recipients can register.
The Internal Trade Department reported roughly 910,000 stores had registered with the Business Development Department, while there are 146,000 Blue Flag stores nationwide covering 878 districts to handle digital wallet payments.
Other outlets include 5,000 Blue Flag restaurants, 400,000 mom-and-pop shops and restaurants under local administrative organisations, 93,000 farmers' shops and community enterprises, and 50,000 convenience stores that belong to the Thai Retailers Association.
Eligible individuals and shops can start registering for the scheme on Aug 1, with digital payments expected in the fourth quarter.
Responding to criticism that the project favours large stores, Mr Phumtham said registration would cater only to small shops, not department stores or big retail/wholesale stores.
Products that cannot be purchased using the digital wallet include the government lottery, alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, cannabis-related products or items derived from these substances.
In addition, the handout cannot be used to buy gift cards, cash cards, gold, diamonds, pearls, electrical appliances, electronic or communication gadgets, to pay off debts, tuition fees or utility bills, including water, electricity or telephone bills, or to purchase fuel or natural gas.
The subcommittee overseeing the implementation of the scheme ordered the Commerce Ministry to review the banned product list based on necessities for people's daily or working life.
