There is a new promotional campaign in Thailand designed to encourage people to stop using cash and start using debit cards by offering a slew of cash prizes, local media reports. The Finance Ministry is hoping to increase electronic payments in the country and improve the national e-payments policy.
The new campaign will see prizes be randomly awarded to debit-card users in Thailand with lucky draws scheduled to take place in June. The giveaways will continue on for the next 12 months with a total of THB84 million expected to be handed out to winners during the scheme.
Shoppers must pay for goods or services through debit cards issued by Thai banks to be eligible for inclusion into the lucky draw. Shops with less than THB 500 million in annual revenue that have installed or upgraded their EDC machines as authorised by the government will also be entered into the giveaway, according to media reports.
This is the government’s latest effort to promote the national e-payments policy in recent times. In March, it promoted the installation of the electronic data-capture (EDC) system for machines at retail outlets throughout Thailand.
“At the same time, shops – especially small ones – will be encouraged and inspired to install EDC machines. Such concerted efforts would eventually change people’s payment behaviour, leading to extensive use of electronic payments nationwide,” says Permanent Secretary Somchai Sujjpongse to The Nation.
A total of 1,001 shoppers will win each month with most prizes ranging from THB2,000 to THB100,000. The top prize for individuals is THB1 million. The list of winners will be announced through the media as well as on www.epayment.go.th. Banks issuing the debit card of the winners will notify them. Shops will also have the chance to win a grand prize of THB 1 million and several smaller prizes of THB30,000 each month.
Receive the latest property news on email from Thailand’s No.1 property website here, or read more project reviews
