Eighteen products and services are on the digital wallet ‘Negative List’ and cannot be purchased using the 10,000 baht benefit money, according to Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
The items include lottery tickets, alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, cannabis, kratom, products from cannabis and kratom, souvenir vouchers, cash vouchers, gold, diamond, gems, fuel oil, natural gas, electrical appliances, electronic equipment and communication devices.
Phumtham said, however, that the list is subject to review, if necessary, especially if there are some products which are essential for daily life or for the creation of jobs.
The minister dismissed allegations that major businesses will stand to benefit the most from the scheme, maintaining that it will focus on smaller ventures such as independent retailers, groceries, community stores, Blue Flag chain stores and cooperative stores, excluding major retail and wholesale outlets and department stores.
Phumtham said that all the relevant agencies, such as the Internal Trade and Business Development departments under the Commerce Ministry, the Interior and Agriculture ministries, are now ready for registration by businesses wishing to take part in the scheme.
He disclosed that there are about 146,000 Blue Flag outlets, 5,000 Blue Flag eateries and about 400,000 retail outlets, including food shops, which are eligible to join.
Registration by individuals and businesses is due to begin in August.
