BANGKOK - The Thai government's flagship 500 billion baht ($13.8 billion) "digital wallet" handout program will spur job creation and stimulate underdeveloped provinces and regions, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday.

Some minor changes to the policy reflect public opinion, he said in a speech to parliament, adding the government planned to announce all the details of the policy on July 24.

The program, which would see about 50 million Thais receive 10,000 baht each to spend locally within six months, is slated to start in the fourth quarter

"The capital injection will help spur manufacturing and create jobs," Srettha told lawmakers.

The program, which would see about 50 million Thais receive 10,000 baht each to spend locally within six months, is slated to start in the fourth quarter.

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Srettha did not mention the total budget cost of the policy in his speech. On Wednesday, a deputy finance minister said that based on past experience there might be a take-up rate of about 90 percent, which meant the scheme could cost around 450 billion baht.