The Thai Government has launched an official ThaiChana app on Google Play for Android with an Apple Store app due for release this Sunday.
The move comes in the wake of complaints that millions of people were not checking out when leaving businesses after they had checked in using the QR code system.
The launch of the apps is also an attempt to stop people using fake ThaiChana websites that are phishing for personal information via SMS messages.
The new application has also addressed complaints from foreigners that they could not understand the QR code system as it was only in Thai.
While English was implemented on the QR system a few days ago, the applications will provide support in a number of languages including English, Burmese, Malay, Korean, Japanese, and Lao over the coming days, in addition to Thai.
Once users have downloaded the app, they can register their details and check-in and out of businesses more efficiently. A list of places visited by the user will appear on the app, enabling them to belatedly check out if they forgot.
However, the Inspector-General of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Polawat Witoolkollachit, advised people to check out as soon as they leave the premises. He said:
“We advise people to check out as fast as possible because only venues visited on that day will be displayed. The app also allows people to find venues nationwide.”
He also emphasized that the government will not send SMS messages to people about downloading the app and to be aware of copycat or fake apps being touted by SMS.
The app is available for download from Google play here.
It will be available for Apple users from the App Store on Sunday, May 31st, and can be found by searching for “ThaiChana”.
Source: The Nation
