The new asset, referred to as the G-Token, will be introduced under the existing budget borrowing framework. While not classified as a debt instrument, it is intended to function as a vehicle for public fundraising, according to Patchara Anuntasilpa, director-general of the Public Debt Management Office.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira noted that the digital nature of the token enables broader participation from retail investors, who can invest with as little as 100 baht. He added that the tokens are expected to offer higher returns than traditional savings accounts, positioning them as a more attractive option amid prevailing bank deposit rates ranging from 1.25% to 1.5%.
The G-Token will be available for trading on licensed digital asset exchanges and has been developed in line with the Bank of Thailand’s regulatory framework. Though it is a blockchain-based product, officials stressed that it is not a cryptocurrency.
This pilot issuance, valued at 5 billion baht, is being described as a market test to evaluate investor interest and infrastructure readiness.
The initiative follows public remarks in January by Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister and key figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, who advocated for government bond-backed digital assets accessible to both retail and institutional investors.
