The Ministry of Commerce and OSMEP kick off "Thai Help Thai: Franchise Career Plus" The government subsidizes up to 10,000 baht, offers 6 months free selling space, and special interest loans to boost income and help SMEs revive the economy
13 Jul 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Supawee Sutthampan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, presided over the opening of the project “Thai Help Thai: Franchise Career Plus” at the Burchatchaiyakorn Room, Office of the Permanent Secretary of Commerce, with Mr. Napintra Srisapphong, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office overseeing OSMEP, along with executives from government agencies, private sectors, and franchise business operators attending.
Ms. Supawee said this project arose from cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce and OSMEP under the government's policy to manage living costs alongside income generation. The Department of Business Development has continuously developed franchise businesses to provide opportunities for those seeking careers or extra income to start businesses more easily through franchising. Currently, over 500 franchises are registered with the department, with more than 100 standard franchises investing no more than 100,000 baht participating in the program.
Mr. Napintra said OSMEP allocated a budget of 100 million baht to support the program, assisting franchise buyers with packages valued up to 100,000 baht at a 50% rate, capped at 10,000 baht per case. This is expected to aid about 10,000 entrepreneurs or families, allowing those seeking careers or increased income to start businesses immediately without having to develop entirely new ideas, reducing occupational risks and helping elevate SME income.
Mr. Napintra added the government aims to increase the SME sector's GDP share from about 35% to 40% within four years. This project is a key measure to help small entrepreneurs grow concretely.
To reduce startup limitations, Ms. Supawee said that besides subsidies from OSMEP, the Ministry of Commerce has coordinated with SME Development Bank, Krungthai Bank, Government Savings Bank, and the Small Industry Credit Guarantee Corporation to provide franchise buyers lacking sufficient capital access to loans with special interest rates and loan guarantees, easing startup barriers.
Additionally, the ministry gained cooperation from CP Axtra Public Company Limited to open selling spaces in over 2,000 Lotus and Makro branches nationwide, totaling over 10,000 points, for participants to sell products rent-free for 6 months, reducing initial business costs. The Thai Fresh Market Association, with over 100 markets as members, also supports additional selling spaces for entrepreneurs.
Ms. Supawee further said a highlight of the project is connecting franchise businesses to digital systems through the “Thung Ngern” application of Krungthai Bank, enabling entrepreneurs to participate in the “Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40” project and benefit from government purchasing stimulation measures, enhancing market opportunities and generating income from business launch.
This “Thai Help Thai: Franchise Career Plus” program is a cooperation between the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, OSMEP, and partner networks, gathering over 100 standard franchises with investments not exceeding 100,000 baht to make business ownership more accessible to the public.
Interested individuals can study details and select participating franchises at the websitehttps://ไทยช่วยไทยแฟรนไชส์.dbd.go.thor Line OA @franchisedbdplus, and can inquire further at the Business Promotion and Development Division, Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, phone 0 2547 5953, 0 2547 5955, or Call Center 1570.
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