More than half of the respondents to a recent opinion poll want the 10,000 baht one-time benefit, under the digital wallet scheme, to be given to every Thai who is 16 or over, regardless of their wealth.

According to a poll, by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), 50.08% of the respondents say that the money should be given out regardless of whether the recipients are rich or poor, while 26.64% say that only low income-earners should be eligible.

14.66% suggest that those earning more than 50,000 baht a month, or who have a bank balance of 500,000 baht or more, should be excluded, while 8% say that those earning 25,000 baht a month, or with a 100,000 baht bank balance, should be excluded.

69.85% say that there should not be restrictions on where the money is spent, 14.50% say that the money should be spent in the province where the recipients have residences, 13.59% say the money should be spent in the district of the recipients and only 2.06% agree with the government’s idea that the money should be spent within a 4km radius of the residences of the recipients.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reaffirmed today that the government will press ahead with the scheme and will ensure that the scheme is legal and operates to the optimum benefit of the Thai people.

He said that the government is receptive to all the opinions and concerns of critics, including the Bank of Thailand, and asked them to give a clear picture of the long-term effects of the scheme on the Thai economy.

He also said that the “Pao tang” application will be used in the implementation of the scheme.