Bangkok Post – Thang Rath app usage spikes ahead of government handout

Daily usage of the Thang Rath app increased 15-fold with the opening of a 10,000-baht digital wallet cash withdrawal program on Thursday, according to Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong.

Mr Prasert revealed on Monday that the average daily number of logins to the Thang Rath app had increased from 50,000-60,000 to 800,000-900,000.

The hike comes after the Finance Ministry announced on Wednesday that citizens with smartphones will be able to register for the digital wallet program via an app from Thursday until September 15, he added.

Mr Prasert added that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society recommends that citizens with smartphones complete the identity verification process via an application before Thursday, when the official registration begins.

“The average daily logins to the Thang Rath app are expected to increase further and reach around six million per day during the registration period,” he added.

An initial influx of applications on Thursday has already prompted predictions of internet outages.

Meanwhile, Mr Prasert said the registration period for citizens who do not own smartphones will start on September 16 and last until October 15.

“As for businesses and traders, they will be able to register from October 1, also via the Thang Rath app,” he added.

Mr Prasert said people can find out more by calling the 24-hour hotline 1111. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has prepared 500 employees to answer citizens’ questions and provide them with support.