Shops urged to join online platforms
Ekniti also said the Thais Help Thais Plus scheme had now opened for shops to sell products through various online platforms.
Krungthai Bank on Monday introduced its “AI Nok Krasip” tool, designed to help participating shops expand sales, analyse sales figures, reduce costs and assess operating costs.
He said the government wanted to support small retailers whose costs had increased.
Several platforms joined the launch, including GrabFood, LINE MAN, Robinhood and ShopeeFood. They will help participating shops expand sales and remove limitations that previously restricted many small businesses to selling only in their local areas.
Ekniti said the four platforms had already proved their impact during the Khon La Khrueng Plus co-payment scheme. Shops that joined platform-based sales saw sales increase by 500% to 600%.
After the Khon La Khrueng Plus scheme ended, sales remained 100% to 200% higher, he said.
The government therefore wants small and micro businesses to learn digital skills, online sales and upskilling and reskilling. Previous projects have shown that participating businesses can increase sales.
Ekniti said the next step was to build on those gains by using AI. Shops would not need to hire staff to handle accounting or analysis, as AI Nok Krasip could help analyse whether the cost of goods purchased by a shop was higher than that of competitors.
The government is inviting more shops to join the scheme, saying they should not be concerned because participating platforms will provide guidance.
Ekniti said the scheme would help increase income and reduce costs sustainably.
