Govt uses prize money to attract more people to the e-payment system

BANGKOK, 30 June 2016 (NNNT)-The government is set to offer a 5.5 million baht prize each month to shoppers in an effort to encourage them to adopt an e-payment method when buying products.

Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong, says that people are able to apply and register for the online method of payment called ‘Prompt-Pay’ at the government’s specialized financial institutions and commercial banks from July 15th onwards.

The Prompt Pay system was introduced by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) two weeks ago to allow money to be transferred between accounts without using an account number. The new system only requires either an identification number or a phone number before the transaction is made.

To further promote the use of e-payments, Mr. Apisak said stores that have been registered with the Department of Business Development will be asked to install an electric data capture (EDC) machine in September, to let shoppers pay without using cash.

A lucky draw will also be held once a month to award 5.5 million baht to a lucky shopper who has paid via an e-payment method and another 1.5 million baht to a lucky store owner who has installed the EDC machine. The Finance Minister claimed the money will come from organizations that support the Prompt Pay system not the government’s budget.

National News Bureau Of Thailand | Govt uses prize money to attract more people to the e-payment system