BANGKOK, Thailand – Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek announced that the government is launching five major economic measures to lower living costs and expand access to global markets. In addition to the June relaunch of the “Half-Half” co-payment scheme, the Ministry of Commerce will implement an integrated plan to support SMEs and farmers.
The strategy begins with domestic relief through the “Thais Help Thais” project, which offers discounts on 3,000 essential items, and introduces the “Fertilizer Half-Half” and “Green Flag Fertilizer Plus” programs to reduce agricultural costs. The second measure increases agricultural value by promoting community collection centers and Geographical Indication brands. Third, the government will protect SMEs from import surges and improve their access to funding. Fourth, officials are modernizing technology and removing regulatory barriers to attract investors. Finally, the plan aims to diversify exports by linking Thai supply chains to new global markets.
In addition to domestic measures, the government is actively pursuing Free Trade Agreements to expand opportunities for Thai goods. Negotiators aim to finalize agreements with the European Union, South Korea, and Canada by the end of 2026. The agreement with EFTA will take effect on January 1, 2027, and the Sri Lanka deal is progressing toward implementation. This global initiative follows a strong 2025, when FTA partners accounted for nearly 60% of Thailand’s total trade.
The spokesperson highlighted that these policies are interconnected, ranging from reducing public burdens to enhancing long-term competitiveness. (NNT)
