Ratchada pointed out that the government is moving forward to reduce living costs by fixing the price of LPG cooking gas at 423 baht per 15-kilogram cylinder, alongside the Thai Help Thai Plus program that circulates over 100 billion baht to maintain momentum in purchasing power recovery without letting energy prices further burden the public.
On 8 August 2026, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said the government continues to care for the public’s cost of living after the consumer confidence index in June 2026 rose to 50.2 for the first time in four months.
This data reflects that purchasing power is beginning to recover due to government measures, but the economic situation remains fragile. Therefore, the government must work concurrently on increasing incomes, reducing expenses, and managing energy prices so they do not affect daily life.
The government does not stimulate the economy with a single approach but uses a set of measures. The Thai Help Thai Plus program helps circulate about 100 billion baht in the economy, reduces living costs, and distributes funds to grassroots economies nationwide.
Ms. Ratchada said the key point of Thai Help Thai Plus is that money is not concentrated only in Bangkok, where spending accounts for just 15-16%, showing that funds truly flow to provinces, small retailers, and local communities.
On another front, the Ministry of Energy uses the Fuel Oil Fund mechanism to keep LPG prices from rising with global market prices by increasing compensation from 7.2209 baht per kilogram to 9.8642 baht per kilogram, keeping the retail price at 423 baht per 15-kilogram cylinder.
The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson said fixing the LPG price directly benefits the public because LPG is a cost for households, restaurants, and small vendors. If energy prices rise, they immediately pass on to food, goods, and service prices.
However, the government recognizes that managing energy prices comes at a cost. As of 7 August 2026, the Fuel Oil Fund had a negative balance of 71,826.31 million baht, an increase of about 2,044 million baht from the previous week, necessitating careful management.
“The government is doing its utmost to manage the cost of living within the country’s fiscal capacity. The goal is to get money flowing to the grassroots, ensure a stable economic recovery, and leave no one behind.”