All state and privately owned bank branches and financial institutions located in shopping malls and hypermarkets, which usually operate seven days a week, are closed today and tomorrow to prevent people from flocking to there to claim government handouts.

Registration for the 5,000 baht support payment for three months starts this evening.

The decision to suspend operations of these bank branches over this weekend was jointly adopted by the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers’ Association, the Association of International Banks and the Government Financial Institutions Association. It is in line with the government’s policy to prevent public gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Bank customers can, however, still use electronic banking as normal.

People who want to claim the giveaways do not have to go to the bank, but can register at home with their smartphones by logging into www.เราไม่ทิ้งกัน.com around the clock, starting at 6pm today.

Dr. Thaveesilp Wissanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for the Management of the COVID-19 Situation, said today that, so far, there is no deadline set for registration to claim the handouts and that the number of people eligible is not capped at three million.

People who are eligible are those who are not covered by the social security scheme, including workers who became unemployed, those whose salaries were reduced, those whose work places were closed, self-employed workers and farmers.

Payments will be disbursed within seven days from when registration passes the screening process.

He said that any individual who does not know how to register online can ask their family members or friends for help, or seek help from officials in their respective communities.