PM claims “digital wallet” scheme is still on, but postponed indefinitely

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said today that the third phase of the controversial digital wallet scheme has not been scrapped, just postponed indefinitely, and that the 157 billion baht allocated for the scheme will be used to fund other priority projects due to uncertainty over the tariffs to be imposed on Thai products exported to US market.

She said that the government’s decision to postpone the third phase of the scheme follows recommendations from several state agencies, such as the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Bank of Thailand and opposition parties.

She promised, however, that scheme will be revived when Thailand’s economic situation has improved.

In her weekly “Thai Opportunities with Paetongtarn” TV program, the prime minister explained that the money will be spent on water management projects instead, such as flood prevention in Bangkok and elsewhere, to ensure public access to clean water for consumption, agriculture and industry, as well as improving public transport and tourism.