Thailand prepares to launch pandemic relief package

The handouts will benefit about 9 million employees of private companies covered by Section 33 of the Social Security Act (SSA). These employees had not benefited from any of the government’s COVID-19 relief packages since the pandemic hit the country early last year. 

Each employee is expected to receive 1,000 baht (US$33) per week starting next month with a maximum cap of 3,500-4,500 baht (US$116-150).  

General Prayut had called for a meeting of various agencies to discuss relief measures for employees insured under Section 33 whose companies had been affected by COVID-19, he wrote on his Facebook page. 

“I agreed in principle to the aid package for the insured. The matter will go swiftly to the cabinet for consideration,” he said in his post. 

“We will not leave anyone behind,” General Prayut wrote. “At the same time, we are determined to look ahead and set the direction for the post- COVID economy.” 

Speaking after the meeting, Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said details of the relief package would be finalised soon before it is being presented to the cabinet for approval this week. 

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To be eligible for the aid, an employee must be a Thai national aged at least 18 who is insured under Section 33 and whose bank deposits do not exceed 500,000 baht (US$16,612). 

Applicants will be required to register for the cash, and the money will be transferred through the Pao Tang app’s G-wallet, similar to procedures under the recent Rao Chana scheme, according to Bangkok Post.