BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that all 20 million registration slots under the “Half-Half Plus” co-payment scheme were fully claimed on the first day of public registration. The total subsidy allocation, amounting to 44 billion baht, was reached by approximately 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Vinit Visessuvanapoom, Director of the Fiscal Policy Office and Ministry Spokesperson, stated that the registration figures were calculated based on the maximum potential subsidy of 2,400 baht per person. The ministry is now verifying registrant eligibility in coordination with relevant agencies, including checks on Thai nationality, age (16 years or older), and exclusion from the state welfare database as of October 1, 2025. Applicants must also have a clean record from previous co-payment program phases.
If the review process reveals unused slots or budget, registration will reopen on Tuesday, October 21, between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to check quota availability through the official program website (t.ly/tUgT7) and register via the Paotang mobile application.
Merchant registration remains active. As of 2:00 p.m. on October 20, 223,088 merchants had been approved, including 136,864 new vendors. Another 87,976 applications are still under review, most awaiting agreement to program terms. Vendors may continue signing up until December 19 or until registration is closed by the Ministry.
Merchants can begin accepting transactions from October 29 through the “Thung Ngern” application. Program participants must complete their first purchase by November 11 at 11:00 p.m. to activate their subsidy and retain eligibility.
The Ministry has made support available through its 24-hour hotline at 0 2111 1122. Additional assistance is provided by the Fiscal Policy Office on weekdays for inquiries about registration, program rules, or merchant onboarding. (NNT)
