The Ministry of Finance has announced seven measures to reduce the impact of rising oil prices. Vulnerable groups will receive increased funds through the state welfare card, with fertilizer subsidies to assist farmers.
On 26 Mar 2026 GMT+7, a reporter reported that Mr. Lawaron Saengsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that today the Cabinet approved the relief measures proposed by the Ministry of Finance. These urgent measures require prompt implementation for the benefit of the people. In summary, there are seven key points.
1. The Cabinet agreed to have the Ministry of Finance reconsider reducing the excise tax rate, determining how much to reduce and for what duration, as appropriate.
2. Care for vulnerable groups through the state welfare card: the Cabinet approved increasing the monthly spending credit for essential goods from 300 baht per person to 400 baht per person. While the current government is caretaker, once a new government is formed, this measure will be reassessed for possible extension.
3. Measures to assist transport groups, including trucks, buses, and motorcycle taxis, which will be managed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.
4. Measures to support farmers: the first major impact is on fertilizer costs. There will be a Green Flag project to subsidize fertilizer expenses alongside the Good Soil Card program to reduce costs for farmers and promote the use of organic or alternative fertilizers to reduce imports.
5. Assistance for fishermen by encouraging the switch to B20 fuel, which costs 5-6 baht less per liter than regular fuel.
6. Support for government contractors, industrial groups, or construction groups who might face difficulties due to lack of fuel for machinery, potentially causing project delays. Responsible agencies will consider appropriate extensions for project acceptance periods to reflect the actual situation.
7. Other measures for affected groups, especially SMEs: the Ministry of Finance, through the Government Savings Bank, is preparing a 10 billion baht soft loan facility to improve liquidity for small businesses. The bank will provide further details in due course.