The Prime Minister revealed that the Thai Help Thai Plus campaign is bustling after personally visiting Sriyan market. He was pleased that locals requested it not to stop and declared the need to keep finding opportunities to expand the Plus. He also said there will be no adjustment in criteria for this round of the welfare card but will listen to feedback to create projects that resonate.
At 14:40 on 3 June 2026 at the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, spoke about observing spending under the Thai Help Thai Plus program at Sriyan market. He said he frequents Sriyan, often eating at a noodle shop in front of the market, and happened to see people shopping. He noticed considerable liveliness in the Thai Help Thai Plus program and found both buyers and sellers satisfied.
When asked if the momentum seems to meet the goal of helping citizens during this time, Mr. Anutin said he believes all parties benefit, both buyers and sellers. The focus is on assisting those affected by the Middle East situation, such as fuel and electricity costs. Seeing firsthand, it’s not just about buying noodles, rice, or fruit; grocery and convenience stores outside malls also have people using both Thai Help Thai Plus and state welfare cards. When asked, they expressed satisfaction.
When asked if there were requests for additional measures, Mr. Anutin said people asked that the program not stop. He responded that if the program receives good reception, as it is a cooperative effort to circulate money and stimulate the economy, they must keep finding ways to expand the Plus. It won’t be the same old format; the government must find good programs and projects to benefit citizens as much as possible. Regarding registrations not reaching the 30 million allocated rights, unused funds will be redirected to other urgent needs under the loan decree rules, since borrowing matches actual use.
Asked about new welfare card criteria where parents’ names used for tax deductions led to parents losing welfare card rights, causing criticism that the rules are too strict, Mr. Anutin said problems are inevitable with such projects. While benefiting citizens, some will be satisfied and some not. They will collect and survey feedback, and where dissatisfaction stems from unforeseen issues or misjudgments, they will improve. This economic stimulus is not a one-time effort; benefits will continue to grow. When pressed if this round must adhere to these criteria, he said it is already in effect.
Mr. Anutin added that during his market visit to observe Thai Help Thai Plus, many did not participate; some said they were selling well and did not want the hassle of scanning or checking balances, choosing their own path. Others lacked access or knowledge of the system, so they must see if government publicity was insufficient. They need to find ways to reintegrate people into future state programs. This is the policy he plans to discuss with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. He admitted not knowing all the facts yet.
Asked if future welfare card criteria and conditions will be adjusted after hearing feedback, Mr. Anutin said that from talking with hundreds of people using both welfare cards and Thai Help Thai Plus, he did not hear complaints. When asked if existing welfare card holders might feel disadvantaged by stricter criteria, he said they are ready to revise and improve so that these rights maximize benefits to citizens. When asked if the new criteria will increase or decrease the number of eligible welfare card holders from the previous 13 million, he said Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti will provide details. He supports policy-wise, but the Ministry of Finance must make decisions and proposals.