The government has indicated that the second phase of the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme is likely to provide a one-off 1,000-baht allowance, which can be used over two months.
State welfare-card holders would receive an additional 700 baht on top of their regular 300-baht entitlement, bringing the total to 1,000 baht.
Government spokesman Ekkapob Pianpises said on Friday that the final details were awaiting consideration by the committee screening the spending of loans under the emergency decree.
Following discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, he said the scheme was expected to retain the 60:40 co-payment formula. Welfare-card holders would receive 700 baht, bringing their total entitlement to 1,000 baht.
“No additional budget would need to be allocated, as adding the 1,000 baht had been calculated for a two-month period and would provide greater flexibility in spending,” Dr Ekkapob said.
Permanent Secretary for Finance Lavaron Sangsnit said he was scheduled to discuss the matter with Mr Ekniti later on Friday.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he had approved the extension in principle but would leave Mr Ekniti to announce the conditions officially. The measures should reach people, he said.
Asked about the impact of the US Federal Reserve’s recent 0.25-percentage-point rate increase, Mr Anutin said the government would not take action that caused hardship for the public.
He said the Thais Help Thais Plus scheme was among the measures intended to ease living costs amid current economic difficulties. He rejected describing the policy as populist, saying it was intended both to stimulate the economy and reduce people’s expenses.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said the economic team met on Monday to address rising energy prices.
A package is expected to be submitted to the cabinet on Tuesday, after the measures receive the PM’s approval.
She said the Commerce Ministry would oversee consumer and agricultural prices.
Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt would examine the laws and regulations governing the sourcing of funds to manage energy prices appropriately.