Op-Ed. 10,000 Baht Digital Givaway

[ShaunSheep]

Recently the Phue Thai party has proposed a scheme to give away 10,000 baht to all citizens over the age of 16 years. However, the proposal has outlined measures to ensure that the money is spent at certain businesses with pre-defined geological restrictions as well as being spent within a certain time frame. These restrictions will be implemented by sending the funds to a digital wallet using blockchain technology which would ensure these pirameters are met.

As stated by deputy Pheu Thai secretary-general Paopoom Rojanasakul "The 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme is expected to be implemented within the first half of next year as it will take time to set up"

In another statement Mr Paopoom Rojanasakul has said "In addition to stimulating the economy, the scheme aims to create a nationwide blockchain-based financial payment system."

One could be forgiven for drawing similarities between this budding idea and the established social credit system which was first announced by China in 2014 as "an important component of the Socialist market economy system and the social government system," according to a 2015 government document.

https://chinacopyrightandmedia.wordpress.com/2014/06/14/planning-outline-for-the-construction-of-a-social-credit-system-2014-2020/

The system has been said to include companies, government organizations as well as individuals and was expected to be fully implemented by 2020. 

The Chinese plan for a social credit system is to eventually be mandatory and unified accros the nation, with each person given their own unique code (not unlike the LOS national ID) to measure their social credit score in real time. People can be punished if they drive badly, buy too many video games or voice certain opinions. Punishments include throttled internet speeds train travel and flight bans.

In closing, I'm not saying that this is the plan for the LOS but as we know from experience these kinds of changes when implemented are introduced slowly and quietly. This being said, this space will certainly be interesting to observe moving forward.  

Credit:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2636475/new-govt-must-act. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2634849/pheu-thais-digital-wallet-under-scrutiny. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

https://www.businessinsider.com/china-social-credit-system-punishments-and-rewards-explained-2018-4