The Thai government has suspended the third phase of its 10,000 baht digital wallet scheme, which was set to benefit youth aged 16 to 20, citing ongoing economic challenges and fiscal concerns. This phase, originally planned for digital-only disbursement via banking apps, would have distributed funds to approximately 10 million young people nationwide. Instead, 157 billion baht has been redirected to infrastructure projects, reflecting shifting priorities and debates around sustainable economic policy. Further details reveal broader impacts and government justifications.
Although initially envisioned as a catalyst for economic recovery, Thailand’s 10,000 baht digital wallet project has reached an abrupt halt for young citizens aged 16 to 20, following a government announcement on May 19, 2025. The program, championed as a flagship policy by the Pheu Thai Party during the 2023 election, aimed to inject 450 billion baht into the national economy through a one-time handout distributed in three distinct phases. Each phase targeted specific demographic groups, with the final phase, now suspended, originally designed for 2.7 million tech-savvy youth. The government emphasized that the budget shift would instead fund infrastructure investment, aiming for collective rather than individual benefit.
Thailand’s digital wallet project for youth ages 16 to 20 is on hold, halting a key economic recovery initiative.
The first phase of the initiative focused on 14.4 million welfare and disability card holders, distributing 10,000 baht per recipient from September to December 2024. This phase operated with a budget of 144.5 billion baht and prioritized those with limited access to digital resources. The government has since decided to redirect the initial budget of 157 billion baht from the suspended phase to other economic stimulus measures, focusing on projects with more immediate and long-term impact.
The second phase, rolled out between January and April 2025, delivered the same amount to approximately 3 million elderly citizens aged 60 and above, who registered through the government’s “Tang Rat” application, costing an estimated 30 billion baht. Both phases served as direct cash transfers, providing immediate financial relief to vulnerable populations and stimulating basic consumption.
In contrast, the third and final phase was scheduled for digital-only disbursement via banking applications, leveraging the digital proficiency of younger recipients. Purchases using the digital wallet would have been restricted to specific categories, excluding tuition, utilities, and phone bills—to guarantee targeted economic stimulus within Thailand’s evolving digital economy. This approach was anticipated to enhance financial oversight and promote digital transaction adoption.
However, amid mounting economic challenges, including external pressures such as US tariff increases affecting Thai trade, the government decided to suspend Phase 3. Officials cited fiscal prudence and the need to address more structural economic priorities over direct cash handouts.
The postponement, with no immediate resumption timeline, reflects a cautious stance in managing national finances under economic uncertainty. While the digital wallet project was defended by government leaders as essential for revitalization, critics questioned its sustainability and phased impact.
The suspension underscores ongoing debates over economic policy, digital transformation, and youth engagement in Thailand.
