Aekniti emphasized that the current crisis is the high cost of living. The Cabinet approved the Thailand Helps Thais Plus program to ease living expenses for 43 million people. Low-income cardholders will receive 1,000 baht per month for four months. For the co-payment scheme, the government covers 60% while citizens pay 40%. Registration opens 25-29 May.
Mr. Aekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, chaired the press conference on the "Thailand Helps Thais Plus: Easing Living Costs and Supporting the Grassroots Economy Through the Energy Crisis Together" at Santi Maitri Building (Inner Court), Government House. He stated that today the Cabinet approved the Thailand Helps Thais Plus program to overcome the current crisis, now entering its third wave called the "high-price crisis." Inflation rose 2.9 percent in April and may increase further. If unchecked, this crisis could lead to reduced purchasing power, higher living costs, decreased personal income, and increased business expenses. The impact will hit low-income people without savings and small businesses lacking reserves to cushion the shock. If this continues, business closures and unemployment will rise, causing a prolonged economic downturn. Therefore, the Thailand Helps Thais Plus program is necessary to support citizens and small businesses, mitigating the impact and preventing a significant decline in purchasing power that could force businesses to close.
Mr. Aekniti explained that the Thailand Helps Thais Plus program focuses on three main groups. The first group targets vulnerable people, especially low-income individuals holding the State Welfare Card, approximately 13.2 million people. The government will provide 1,000 baht per month—an increase of 700 baht from the previous 300 baht—for four months. The goal is to assist low-income and vulnerable groups in coping with rising living costs. The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance are working together to improve the database accuracy and reopen registration.
The second group targets the middle class, workers, and salaried employees facing high living expenses. The program’s principle is to assist those with limited purchasing power through a 60/40 co-payment scheme—citizens pay 40% and the government covers 60%. The key is to help with daily living expenses by providing 1,000 baht per month for four months.
The third group aims to sustain small retailers by injecting liquidity to keep small businesses afloat. Additionally, the program will increase the use of AI to help retailers become more familiar with digital tools, enabling better cost management, accurate price checks, and access to formal credit sources rather than informal loans.
Mr. Aekniti emphasized that this crisis differs from previous ones because it centers on rising living costs, affecting small-scale individuals. The government aims to stabilize the economy to help vulnerable people weather the crisis together.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lawanorn Saengsinit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that the Thailand Helps Thais Plus program will support more than 43 million people. Of these, 13.2 million are State Welfare Card holders who will receive an additional 700 baht on top of their existing amount, totaling 1,000 baht for four months—from June through September—to assist monthly spending.
For the general public, the government will ease living expenses by providing 1,000 baht under the so-called 60/40 program, covering up to 30 million people, also for up to four months. It was emphasized that this is not an economic stimulus program but a measure to alleviate living costs. Eligibility requires participants to be 18 years or older, with spending capped at 200 baht per day. Participating service sector shops such as nail salons, hairdressers, spas, and massage shops—previously included in the half-half scheme—are excluded this round to ensure the 1,000 baht monthly is spent on essential consumer goods. Registration opens 25-29 May from 06:00 to 22:00.
Shops already registered in the previous half-half plus system, approximately one million, can confirm participation in this program. New shops may join from 25-30 May by contacting any Krung Thai Bank branch.