The Ministry of Finance is preparing to launch "Thai Helps Thai Plus," linking the "Half-Price" scheme and welfare cards, starting in May 69.
The Ministry of Finance is preparing to launch "Thai Help Thai Plus," linking the "Half-Price" scheme and the welfare card program, leveraging AI to assist small business owners. The proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet at its first meeting before Songkran. Registration will begin in late April 69, with implementation starting in May 69. The 100 baht fuel subsidy may be reviewed and may receive a higher allocation.
March 31, 2569 – Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, revealed that the Ministry of Finance is designing a new project, the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" project , which integrates the "Half-Price Plus" project and the State Welfare Card to address the impact of the global economic crisis.
"Previously, the Co-Pay program and the State Welfare Card were separate systems, forcing merchants to support both. The Thai Help Thai Plus project will combine both, allowing State Welfare Card holders to use their cards at participating Co-Pay shops, such as somtum (papaya salad) stalls or grilled pork stalls, whereas previously they could only use them at government-subsidized shops."
While AI technology will be used to analyze sales figures from participating stores, this data will be used as a database to help small business owners access loans more easily in the future.
"We intend to launch the Thai Helps Thai Plus project in May 69."
Mr. Lawaron Saengsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, revealed that the Thai Help Thai Plus project will involve entirely new registrations for both those who previously received benefits and new applicants through the Paotang application. Initially, this project will link the databases of merchants, which were previously separate for Blue Flag stores and small businesses participating in the Khon La Khrueng Plus project.
The allocated funds for the "Half-Price" and "Half-Price Plus" groups will be separate but can be used at the same stores. However, the project is still in the detailed design phase, including the number of eligible recipients, budget allocation, and the proportion of subsidy.
“We have received instructions to urgently launch the ‘Half-Price Plus’ project. Therefore, we are currently developing a new project, ‘Thai Helps Thai Plus,’ to help reduce the expenses of individual citizens and welfare cardholders during this period. We are currently designing the format and amount within the available budget. We will submit it to the Cabinet at the first meeting before Songkran and expect to begin registration at the end of April 69, with implementation starting in May 69.”
Regarding the 100 baht top-up to welfare card holders to mitigate the impact of energy prices, Mr. Laworn revealed that because this project was approved during the caretaker cabinet and a new government has now been formed, the process must be terminated. However, the Ministry of Finance will review the project again, confirming that it will definitely support low-income groups.
"Currently, adding 100 baht is no longer possible due to legal restrictions. However, we will review the top-up program for welfare card holders again and propose it to the new Cabinet at its first meeting. Adding 100 baht might be too little, but the total amount will not be less than before."
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