Bangkok: "Warawut" reveals that the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security joins the MOU of the NBTC to grant rights to 7 types of disabled people to register for free internet, hoping to promote and develop the quality of life of disabled people. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), revealed that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) has reported on the cooperation with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to implement the High-Speed Internet for Persons with Disabilities Project. This initiative aims to support and create opportunities for poor disabled people in Thailand to access efficient basic telecommunications services, covering sectors such as education, public health, and government services.
According to Thai News Agency, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the NBTC and Bangkok Telling Company Limited to promote access to the Internet for learning and self-development according to their potential. Disabled people eligible for the project, totaling 1.1 million, can use unlimited free internet with a speed of no less than 20 Mbps for six months from February 1 to July 31, 2025.
Eligible disabled individuals, who are poor and possess a disabled person ID card in the database of the DLA, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, are identified under the Act on the Promotion and Development of the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities B.E. 2550 and its amendments (No. 2) B.E. 2556 and the State Welfare Card. The seven types of disabilities covered include visually impaired, hearing or communication impaired, movement or physical impaired, mentally or behaviorally impaired, intellectually impaired, learning impaired, and autistic impaired.
Each disabled person can register to receive one right and cannot transfer it, except in cases of mental or behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and autistic disabilities, where caregivers can register on their behalf. They can use the same mobile phone number or receive an internet SIM card for a new number.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) supports the preparation of a list of eligible disabled persons, collaborates with the Fiscal Policy Office, and creates a database for the NBTC office to support internet SIM cards for the disabled. It also promotes the registration for SIM cards, monitors, evaluates, and summarizes operations to enhance assistance processes for the disabled, and makes policy proposals to increase opportunities for accessing quality internet.
The NBTC supports the expenses for mobile phone services at 107 baht per month per person (including VAT) for six months. It also promotes the opening of internet SIM cards for the disabled through public high-speed internet service centers or USO Net. Bangkok Telling Company Limited provides unlimited prepaid internet services with a speed of not less than 20 Mbps via internet SIM cards from the network of the National Telecom Public Company Limited. It also offers a telephone call center and LINE application assistance, information, and advice on various uses, including video tutorials with images, sounds, and sign language.
For inquiries about receiving SIM cards and activating internet services, disabled individuals can contact the NBTC office at 1200 and LINE ID: @netfree_infinite.