BANGKOK, Thailand – The government plans to extend the Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 scheme for another two months, citing the continuing impact of the global energy crisis and prolonged conflicts on household living costs. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on September 17 that the government had decided in principle to extend the programme beyond its original September 30, 2026 end date. The extension will continue under the existing 60/40 format, with funding drawn from the portion of a THB 400 billion borrowing framework allocated for measures to assist people affected by the energy crisis. Around THB 40–50 billion remains from the THB 200 billion allocated for public relief measures. The government estimates that the remaining funds will be sufficient to support the programme for the additional two-month period.
Lavaron Sangsnit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and chairman of the committee overseeing the use of funds under the borrowing decree, said the committee had approved the extension in principle. The measure is intended to provide continued support for people facing higher living costs while maintaining spending and economic activity. The government has cited the prolonged global energy situation and international conflicts as factors continuing to place pressure on household expenses.
The Finance Ministry will accelerate preparations and submit the detailed extension plan to the Cabinet for consideration within September. This is intended to allow the programme to continue immediately after the current scheme expires on September 30. Final details, including the precise conditions and implementation arrangements for the two-month extension, will be determined through the Cabinet approval process.
