Thousands of individuals in Thailand risk being unable to access a new government subsidy program due to their smartphones running outdated operating systems, which prevent use of a mandatory digital wallet application.
Krungthai Bank, which operates the “Pao Tang” digital wallet app, has updated the application to enhance security and performance. This update requires smartphones to run on a minimum operating system version.
Users with older phones that do not meet these specifications will be unable to download, update, or access the Pao Tang application. The “Kon La Krueng Plus” (Half-Half Plus) government subsidy program relies on this app for registration and benefit distribution.
To qualify for the program, iPhones must operate on iOS 15 or higher. This requirement excludes several older iPhone models, including the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, and the first-generation iPhone SE, which cannot update beyond iOS 15.
Android phone users must have devices running Android version 10 or higher. Without these updates, individuals cannot participate in the upcoming subsidy.
Users can check their iPhone’s operating system by navigating to “Settings,” then “General,” and finally “Software Update.” The system will prompt for an update if a newer version is available.
Android users can typically find their OS information under “Settings,” then “About Phone,” and “Software information.” Update notifications usually appear automatically, though menus may vary by device manufacturer.
Authorities recommend that all prospective participants in the “Kon La Krueng Plus” program immediately verify and update their smartphone operating systems to avoid any issues with registration and app functionality.