BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved a 176-billion-baht cost-of-living relief package named “Thai Chuai Thai Plus” to assist citizens amid the energy and cost-of-living crisis, officials said. The four-month scheme, running from June to September 2026, aims to support more than 43 million people and small businesses affected by successive energy and price crises, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas told a news conference.
The package includes 56 billion baht to increase monthly subsidies for 13.2 million vulnerable state welfare cardholders by 700 baht, raising their total monthly allowance to 1,000 baht. The government will also open a new registration round to cover any remaining vulnerable individuals.
Another 120 billion baht will fund a co-payment scheme for up to 30 million middle-class and salaried workers. Under this measure, the government will cover 60% of daily consumer goods expenditures, up to 1,000 baht per person per month for four months, while participants pay 40%. Daily spending is capped at 200 baht.
Registration for the general public and shops will begin on May 25, Permanent Secretary for Finance Lavaron Sangsnit said, adding that the service sector will be excluded this time to ensure funds are spent strictly on essential consumer goods. Ekniti also noted that the cabinet discussed a pending Constitutional Court review regarding an emergency loan decree. The cabinet has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt and the Finance Ministry to clarify the matter to the court, maintaining that the decree has already legally taken effect upon its publication in the Royal Gazette. (TNA)
