The cabinet has approved a 43-billion-baht extension of the government’s Thai Chuay Thai Plus (Thais help Thais plus) co-payment scheme for October and November, along with an additional 700-baht allowance for state welfare cardholders in October, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Tuesday.
The extended 60/40 scheme will provide eligible participants with up to 1,000 baht to spend on qualifying food, beverages, goods and services at participating shops through the end of November. The government will subsidise 60% of eligible purchases, subject to a daily limit of 200 baht per person.
The extension is intended to ease the impact of high oil prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, support household purchasing power and stimulate the grassroots economy, Mr Ekniti, who is also deputy prime minister, said.
The measure will be financed with remaining funds from relief projects under a broader 400-billion-baht borrowing plan designed to address the impact of the energy crisis and support Thailand’s energy transition.
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary for finance, said about 44 billion baht remained available for measures to ease the people’s financial burden.
Under the welfare top-up, eligible cardholders will receive a total of 1,000 baht in October, up from the regular 300 baht, with the additional 700 baht available for purchases at participating Thong Fah (Blue Flag) low-cost shops and other outlets designated by the Ministry of Commerce.
The government said the measures were necessary because volatile energy prices could weaken household purchasing power and private consumption, key drivers of the economy, while putting further pressure on growth and inflation.
The first phase of Thai Chuay Thai Plus, which began in June and ends this month, covered about 40 million people, with each eligible participant receiving up to 1,000 baht per month.
Eligible participants can confirm their registration through the Pao Tang mobile application from Oct 1 to 15. Businesses already participating in the scheme can confirm their participation in the additional phase through the Tang Rat app from Oct 1 to Nov 30.
The subsidies can be used from Oct 1 to Nov 30 at participating shops between 6am and 11pm. Food and beverages can also be purchased through participating delivery platforms via the Pao Tang app between 6am and 9pm.
Mr Ekniti said he remained confident that the economy would expand by 2.5% this year, in line with the Finance Ministry’s forecast issued in July.