BANGKOK, DEC 12 (TNA) – Registered low-income earners in
Thailand continue to flock state-owned Krungthai Bank branches to withdraw the
government’s 500-baht New Year cash giveaway.
The government has since Saturday begun transferring funds
into the bank accounts of 11.1 million state-welfare cardholders who are
entitled to Bt500 each, as part of the Bt5.5-billion New Year gift program.
Since then, low-income earners have lined up at ATMs to
withdraw cash in number.
On Wednesday, the government also began to transfer another
cash giveaway for house rent of Bt400 per person a month, enlarging the crowd
at some Krung Thai Bank’s branches.
Many poor people queuing up to get their money have been
delighted to receive extra money.
The cash handouts have drawn criticism lashing the
government for using taxpayers’ money to win popular support ahead of the
February 24 general elections.
Eligible state-welfare cardholders are those whose income is
less than Bt8,333 a month or less than Bt100,000 per year. They have registered with the government in
the program offering subsidies to welfare cardholders.(TNA)
