The Finance Ministry will propose to the Cabinet next week to approve Phase 2 of the 'Half-Half Plus' program, distributing 10 million rights at 2,000 baht each. Five million initial rights will be granted to catch-up groups and people in flood-affected areas and border conflict zones. The remaining five million rights will be open to the general public. Registration will open at the end of December 2025, with spending starting in January 2026. The Prime Minister has ordered a review of the State Welfare Card eligibility criteria.
Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkit, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that the Finance Ministry plans to propose to the Cabinet next week for approval of Phase 2 of the 'Half-Half Plus' program to stimulate continuous spending next year. It is expected to provide 10 million rights, each worth 2,000 baht, with registration opening in late December 2025 and spending starting in January 2026. Discussions are ongoing but it is anticipated that the first five million rights will be allocated to those who have never participated before and people living in flood-affected areas and provinces involved in border conflicts with Cambodia. The remaining five million rights will be offered to those who have previously participated.
Regarding the funding source for this project, Mr. Siripong stated that approximately 22 billion baht is expected to be drawn from the emergency and necessity reserve budget. He confirmed that more than 40 billion baht remains available in this reserve after two rounds of flood relief funding.
Regarding the State Welfare Card case, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has instructed during the Cabinet meeting to review the eligibility criteria for the State Welfare Card following numerous complaints from the public. Currently, there are two criteria: income and assets. Some individuals qualify by income (not exceeding 100,000 baht) but possess high-value assets, which has caused public dissatisfaction regarding previous payments. The Prime Minister ordered the Finance Ministry and relevant agencies to thoroughly review the criteria to ensure fairness in the upcoming Welfare Card survey. This directive came before the Cabinet meeting agenda and marks the first review in three years, during which no eligibility reassessment was done. Registration will open in January 2026.
Reporters from the Finance Ministry reported progress on the 'Half-Half Plus' program, as of 8 Dec 2025 at 11:00 PM, 994,903 merchants nationwide have passed data verification, and 3,810,867 individuals have fully used their rights. The cumulative spending under the program totals 70.7563 billion baht, divided into 68.3769 billion baht at regular merchants, with 33.6663 billion baht contributed by the government and 34.7106 billion baht by consumers. Spending via Food Delivery Platforms totals 2.3794 billion baht, with 1.1625 billion baht from the government and 1.2169 billion baht from consumers. Additionally, the project has upskilled and reskilled merchants, with 91,022 having completed training.
Citizens can use their rights at participating merchants until 31 December 2025, from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM via the G-Wallet in the 'Pao Tang' application, without the need to spend the full 200 baht daily limit.
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