Khon Kaen —
On August 6th, 2024, Khon Kaen local media surveyed opinions of vendors in the Khon Kaen Municipality about the government’s 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme.
The survey revealed that most small vendors are hesitant to register, feeling the scheme won’t benefit local businesses. Concerns were also raised about data privacy, fearing information leaks to call center scams.
Mr. Prayoon Lunput, a 54-year-old vendor at Bang Lamphu Market, expressed a preference for cash transactions to maintain daily cash flow for purchasing fresh stock. He noted that his unregistered business would face cumbersome procedures to comply with the scheme.
Prayoon revealed that he did not want to register from the start. There are fears of retroactive tax assessments like in previous schemes from the previous government “Half-Half Co-Payment Scheme”.
Vendors prefer cash as they deal with small amounts daily. Waiting six months for reimbursement is impractical, according to them. This program doesn’t help the grassroots; we need daily cash flow for our businesses, said Prayoon.
Similarly, Ms. Aryanee Niampradit, a local businesswoman, highlighted the lack of clarity in the scheme’s details, leaving vendors uncertain about the actual benefits and usage of the funds. Many fear data leaks to call center scams, as the government has yet to address these issues effectively.
Aryanee told Khon Kaen local media that vendors are worried about data privacy and retroactive taxes. The scheme seems to offer minimal relief, like a drop of water in the desert. For the average vendor, managing online registrations is unnecessary and unhelpful. This initiative does not stimulate the economy; it is merely a temporary solution.
Arayanee concluded that while the scheme might offer some relief, its effectiveness in genuinely boosting the local economy remains doubtful.
Read our related articles about the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme:
Thai citizens eagerly await the 10,000-baht digital wallet to cover essential expenses.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
