Bangkok: The "government" has unveiled a new initiative aimed at creating opportunities for disabled individuals and their caregivers through the 'DepFund' app, which allows for interest-free borrowing from a dedicated fund, repayable over five years. Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced this measure as part of the government's effort to align social welfare potential with evolving social conditions, promoting equality and economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.
According to Thai News Agency, the initiative is spearheaded by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. It is designed to empower disabled individuals by providing them with the means to become self-reliant. Loans from the 'Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities' are available in two categories: individual loans ranging from 60,000 to 120,000 baht per person, and group loans up to 1 million baht per group.
Mr. Anukul emphasized that these interest-free loans are crucial for enhancing opportunities and fostering economic and social equality. Data from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security indicates that there are approximately 2.2 million registered disabled individuals in Thailand, which represents 3.39 percent of the country's population as of April 30, 2025. Around 300,000 disabled individuals or their caregivers have utilized the fund to either start a career or expand a business, with a total loan amount of approximately 11 million baht as of May 16, 2025. The majority of borrowers are farmers, followed by traders.
In addition to providing financial opportunities, the government has prioritized leveraging technology to facilitate easy and quick access to services for people with disabilities and their caregivers. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has developed the 'DepFund' application, compatible with both iOS and Android systems. The app, accessible via DIGITAL ID, allows users to check loan approval status, view remaining balances, track payment history, and repay loans via QR Code.
Mr. Anukul further highlighted the government's commitment to creating economic and social equality for all citizens by fostering collaboration across sectors to address challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups like the disabled and the elderly. Interested parties can apply for loans through the website https://efund.dep.go.th/ and seek additional information from the Fund for the Promotion of Equality for Disabled Persons, the Bangkok Disabled Service Center, and Provincial Disabled Service Centers nationwide.