In an update on the "Rao Chana" program, the government is preparing to distribute 3,500 baht per person per month for two months to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Mr. Anucha Burapachaisri, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that the criteria for the 3,500 baht relief for two months will differ from previous distributions. This time, the criteria will be based on existing databases to determine eligibility for the relief payments, with special consideration for those affected.

      It should be noted that workers in the formal sector, civil servants, and state enterprise employees who are still able to support themselves will not be considered for this relief. Therefore, the remaining eligible individuals are estimated to be around 35-40 million people. A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for January 19 to provide further clarity, but vulnerable groups, totaling about 14 million people, will definitely receive assistance.

      Furthermore, individuals who have previously registered in various applications and have data in the Paotang application may not need to register again, as their information is already available. However, the government will implement careful screening measures.

 

    Currently, the Ministry of Finance estimates that approximately 30-35 million people will qualify for the Rao Chana program, with a budget framework of about 210 billion baht.

 

Groups Eligible for 7,000 Baht Relief will be divided into those who will automatically receive the benefits without needing to register, including 14 million holders of state welfare cards and approximately 15.3 million users of the Paotang application, who will be screened again to determine their eligibility. Additionally, those who may need to register anew include self-employed individuals and farmers.

 

Those Who Will Not Receive Relief Include: 1. Civil servants and state officials 2. Individuals under 18 years old

3. High-income individuals, and 4. Workers covered by social security

 

        Nevertheless, it is noted that among those likely to receive relief from the Rao Chana program, the group of 14 million state welfare cardholders has consistently received government assistance. Currently, this group is also receiving an additional 500 baht per person per month for three months, from January to March 2021, following a previous increase of 500 baht per person per month for three months from October to December 2020.

      Therefore, if state welfare cardholders receive an additional 3,500 baht from the Rao Chana program in February and March 2021, they will have a total of approximately 4,200-4,300 baht credited to their cards each month.

      “The total amount received by state welfare cardholders of 4,200-4,300 baht per person per month consists of 1. 200-300 baht for essential goods, 2. 500 baht for top-ups in the state welfare card, and 3. 3,500 baht from the Rao Chana relief program. Additionally, they will receive 100 baht per household per month for water and 230 baht per household per month for electricity. For these two amounts, cardholders must initially pay out of pocket, and the funds will be reimbursed in the middle of that month.”