Ekniti is pleased that on the first day of registration for Thai Chua Thai Plus, the number of entitlements surged to 24 million. He invites merchants to register for the program and announces the launch of the AI 'Nok Kasip' on 1 June to help manage costs and boost sales for entrepreneurs.
On 26 May 2026, reporters reported that on 25 May in Paris, France, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, spoke about the Thai Chua Thai Plus program which opened for registration on its first day (25 May 2026). He expressed gratitude to the Thai people for their overwhelming response, noting that approximately 24 million entitlements had already been registered, with another 6 million remaining. He said he was delighted by the public's interest in the program.
Regarding the sellers, Ekniti said about 9.7 to 9.8 million stores are currently using existing entitlements. The core aim of the Thai Chua Thai Plus program is to help alleviate the crisis caused by high oil prices and rising costs, while also easing the burden on buyers since the government subsidizes 60% and consumers use 40% of the entitlements. At the same time, the government wants to support small retail shops, so he invites all merchants who have not yet registered—especially small retailers—to join. The 30 million Thai people eligible for the entitlements are encouraged to help support both the state and Thai entrepreneurs in stabilizing the economy during this crisis.
Ekniti also said that one reflection of the program’s quality is its well-designed use of digital technology. Many have said the registration process is much easier, especially for those who previously used the Khon La Khrueng Plus program, who can now register with just a few clicks. For those not yet registered, identity verification is required. The government believes this ensures transparency. The program’s design, leveraging digital technology, guarantees that funds will reach the people. Every baht will help merchants, support the economy, and guide the country through the energy crisis together.
Furthermore, Ekniti thanked everyone behind the scenes, including the Ministry of Finance and Krung Thai Bank, who ensured the system did not crash. This is historic, with 700,000 registrations per second, making it a model and highly stable system.
Additionally, he introduced that merchants joining the Thai Chua Thai Plus program will receive support from an AI assistant named “Nok Kasip” starting 1 June. This AI will help merchants manage costs to increase sales. It has been proven effective in the Khon La Khrueng Plus program, enabling merchants to sell more and even expand to online platforms. Merchants who used the AI cost management tool in the previous program saw sales increase by 100-200%. He therefore invites merchants to join the Thai Chua Thai Plus program.