The Cabinet has approved the "Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40) Additional" program, providing 1,000 baht per person from 1 October to 30 November 2026, aiming to ease living expenses and maintain consumer purchasing power of the people.
On 22 September 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that the Cabinet approved a reduction in the previously approved budget framework for the "Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40)" program and approved the "Thai Help Thai Plus (Additional)" program as proposed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). This aims to assist vulnerable citizens, alleviate living costs, preserve purchasing power, and help small entrepreneurs continue their businesses amid the ongoing energy crisis caused by prolonged conflicts in the Middle East.
The "Thai Help Thai Plus (Additional)" program consists of two measures: 1) an increase in the welfare budget for state welfare cardholders in 2026 (the Additional Budget Increase Project), and 2) the "Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40) (Additional)" project, with a combined budget limit not exceeding 42.69065 billion baht. The Loan Expenditure Screening Committee has endorsed the proposals before submitting them to the Cabinet for consideration.
Ms. Lalida said that the Additional Budget Increase Project will raise the monthly purchasing budget for goods from local economy-promoting Blue Flag stores and other shops designated by the Ministry of Commerce for eligible individuals registered under the 2026 state welfare card program who qualify before 1 October 2026. This adds 700 baht per person per month to the existing 300 baht, totaling 1,000 baht per person for October 2026. This measure aims to assist low-income vulnerable groups affected by volatile energy prices.
The "Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40) (Additional)" program will run for two months from 1 October to 30 November 2026, targeting 1) current beneficiaries of the "Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40)" program, and 2) those without state welfare cards in 2026, including former 2022 state welfare cardholders and newly registered individuals.
For usage, the government will co-pay 60% of expenses on food, beverages, goods, and specified services, capped at 200 baht per person per day and 1,000 baht per person for the entire program. Citizens can spend via the "Paotang" app at participating stores from 1 October to 30 November 2026, between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., or purchase food and drinks through participating Food Delivery Platforms from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Regarding eligibility confirmation, qualified target groups can confirm their participation via the "Paotang" app from 1 to 15 October 2026. Meanwhile, eligible entrepreneurs can confirm through the "Thong Ngern" app from 1 October to 30 November 2026.
"This measure will help ease living expenses and maintain the purchasing power of the public, as well as support small entrepreneurs to continue their professions and businesses. It will also assist people in managing their expenses and liquidity appropriately during a period of high living costs," Ms. Lalida emphasized.
