The cabinet on Tuesday approved the “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” (Thais Helping Thais Plus) co-payment scheme, worth up to 4,000 baht per registered person, to help ease the cost of living, commencing on June 1.
Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit said cabinet endorsed the scheme with a budget of 175 billion baht.
The funds would be raised gradually over four months under an emergency decree authorising the Finance Ministry to borrow up to 400 billion baht to address the impact of the energy crisis and support the country’s energy transition this year.
The “Thai Help Thai Plus” scheme is designed to support more than 43 million people by easing living costs during economic pressures. Eligible recipients can claim up to 4,000 baht over four months, from June 1 to Sept 30 this year.
Details of the scheme:
State welfare card holders
About 13.18 million state welfare card holders will receive 1,000 baht per person per month, fully subsidised by the government. No new registration is required as benefits will be automatically credited for purchases at participating “Thong Fah” (Blue Flag) low-priced stores.
Additional welfare benefits include:
- Cooking gas subsidy of 80 baht per person per month
- Public transport allowance of up to 750 baht per person per month
- Utilities relief: 315 baht per household per month for electricity and 100 baht for water bills
- Additional disability allowance of 200 baht per month for eligible card holders
General public (60/40 co-payment scheme)
The programme will also cover around 30 million people under a 60/40 co-payment model, in which the government covers 60% and participants pay 40%.
Eligible people can claim 1,000 baht per month from the government, totalling 4,000 baht over the programme period.
Registration will be open via the “Pao Tang” mobile application from May 25 to 29.
Eligibility criteria:
- Thai nationality
- Aged 18 or above at the time of registration
- Possession of a national ID card
- Not a state welfare card holder (as of May 18)
- Not previously disqualified or required to return funds from earlier government schemes (co-payment phases 1–5 and “Khon La Khrueng Plus”)
Spending conditions and participating businesses
The scheme covers spending at participating merchants, including food and beverage outlets, general goods stores and public transport services such as buses, tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis.
- Existing stores must confirm participation between May 25 and Sept 30
- New stores can register from May 25 to July 31
- Food delivery integration for both groups runs from June 10 to Sept 30
- Excluded services include massage, spas, nail and hair services.
Spending is permitted daily from 6am to 11pm via the “Pao Tang” app (G-Wallet) only, and funds cannot be withdrawn as cash.
