The government will roll out a new phase of welfare including free internet SIM cards. (Bangkok Post file photo)The Finance Ministry will offer free data-only SIM cards and subsidise their monthly fees for registered low-income earners in the second phase of its aid programme for the needy. According to Mr Apisak, the SIM cards, provided by state-owned TOT Plc, are for internet access only and cannot be used for phone calls. It has yet to be decided whether free smartphones should also be offered alongside the SIM cards. Since October, the government has offered monthly subsidies for consumer products and public transport fares to 11.67 million registered low-income earners at an estimated cost of 41.9 billion baht a year.

Source: Bangkok Post November 15, 2017 10:52 UTC