Commerce Ministry Rolls Out New Discount Measures

Following a slew of government aid relief packages in the wake of a second outbreak, the Commerce Ministry is pitching in with a new consumer discount scheme set to run from today until the end of the month.

This discount package is offered with the cooperation of 11 digital platforms, namely Foodpanda, Grab, Lineman, Robinhood, Gojek, Lazada, Shopee, Ohlala, Lalamove, JatujakMall and Thailand Post via Thailandpostmart.com.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said that there 100,000 shops that have registered to be part of the discount campaign. Because of this, the consuming public can enjoy discounts on a wide range of products and services – about 1 million in all.

Mr. Jurin said that, while the campaign is running, people can enjoy discounts in food and beverages, utility payment fees, fresh market purchases and delivery fees charged by couriers.

People who purchase food and beverages from participating outlets can enjoy up to 60% discounts. On the other hand, people who use any of the participating delivery services and online shops can enjoy discounts of at least 20%. In some cases, they can enjoy free shipping.

In addition, Foodpanda, Grab, Lineman, Robinhood and Lalamove are offering merchants in fresh markets whose produce are listed in any of these services a 50-100% reduction in commission fees. This allows merchants to offer their products at a much lower price or earn more for purchases even though they use the delivery services of their companies.

In addition, Gojek said that people who purchase food through GoFood can enjoy up to 30% and free delivery for the duration of the discount campaign’s run.

Gojek’s discount campaign is a collaboration with the Department of Internal Trade.

Mr. Jurin said that people can save a cumulative amount of over THB500 million from the month-long campaign.

The Cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is also set to decide on Tuesday during their weekly meeting the issue of the THB40 billion aid meant for employees who are members of the Social Security Fund under Section 33.

These employees have been left out of the government’s earlier financial relief packages from April last year until this year. 9 million people are expected to receive financial aid for two months, but the details of the package are yet to be finalized.

Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said that only Social Security members who are covered under Section 33 and have THB500,000 in bank deposits or less are eligible to receive financial aid under the campaign. Recipients are to receive their funds through the Pao Tang app.

PM Prayut had promised during a meeting on Wednesday with government agencies that the financial relief package “will go swiftly to the Cabinet.”

In addition to the relief package, Minister Suchart said that he has received instruction from Prime Minister Prayut to see if the Ministry can offer funds from the Social Security Fund to offer as soft loans to eligible employes.

These soft loans, if approved, will have an interest rate of only 2% per annum.

Source:
ThePhuketNews
BangkokPost