Awaiting Cabinet meeting on May 5th to approve "Half-Price Plus" scheme, distributing 4,000 baht to more than 20 million people.

Paradorn expects the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" economic stimulus package to be submitted to the Cabinet on April 5th. The "Half-Half Plus" scheme will benefit over 20 million people, and welfare card holders will receive 1,000 baht each.

30 April 2569 – Mr. Pradorn Prisananantakul, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office revealed to Progress update on the "Half-Price Plus" project. It is expected that the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" economic stimulus package, which will include the "Half-Price Plus" project and the top-up program for state welfare cards, will be submitted to the Cabinet Economic Committee for consideration on May 4, 2569. Following that, it will be immediately presented to the Cabinet meeting on May 5, 2569, for further consideration. Following the project's approval by the Cabinet, registration is expected to open in May, and spending will begin immediately on June 1st.

"According to the timeline, the 'Half-Price Plus' project should be submitted to the Cabinet meeting next week. It will be included as part of the 'Help Thailand Plus' economic stimulus package. After Cabinet approval, the 'Half-Price Plus' project will proceed immediately, with registration opening in May. We confirm that the number of eligible recipients will definitely be more than 20 million, as the previous round had 20 million recipients, this round will have to be 20 million plus. However, the exact figure may need to be finalized by the Ministry of Finance, as we need to consider the available budget."

 The project will involve staggered payments of 1,000 baht per month for four months, totaling 4,000 baht. Mr. Paradorn viewed it as an advantage, noting that the payment wouldn't be a lump sum but rather monthly installments, giving the Ministry of Finance time to find the funds.

Regarding the number of people who received benefits through the state welfare card in this round... It is acknowledged that the number may decrease to 13.2 million people from the original 13.4 million. This decrease is partly due to the deaths of cardholders, as well as other causes. Regarding assistance for this group, it is confirmed that they will receive an additional top-up of approximately 1,000 baht for a certain period, in addition to the usual 300 baht per month. After this period, the amount will revert to the original base of 300 baht per month.

Whether they will receive the same amount as those who received the 4,000 baht in the Half-Price Plus project remains to be seen. Mr. Paradorn said that it depends on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapha, to finalize the figure, but initially, he believes it will likely provide the same benefits as the "Half-Price Plus" project.

Regarding the progress on issuing an emergency decree to borrow money to support the economy: Mr. Paradorn stated that Mr. Ekniti is currently considering the appropriateness of borrowing funds, and the amount needed, taking into account the figures from the 2569 Budget Transfer Act. Initially, it is estimated that the amount needed will not be large, around 50,000 billion baht, which is less than initially anticipated. This is partly believed to be due to the accelerated procurement and contract signing by government agencies, which is viewed positively as a way to inject funds into the economy more quickly.

"Today is the final day for government agencies to expedite procurement and sign binding contracts. Following this, the Budget Bureau will quickly finalize the figures to present to the government for consideration, determining how much budget will not be available within the stipulated timeframe."

Regarding the impact of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which has caused increasing damage and hardship to the people and the economy, while the 2027 budget and the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) remain unchanged, four economic agencies—the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Bureau, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and the Bank of Thailand—have jointly concluded that the 2027 budget framework will remain as originally planned, particularly the expenditure budget.

While the economic outlook for the coming period remains positive, leading to a potential increase in revenue, the government is not overly concerned about the 2570 budget figures. However, the situation regarding the conflict in the Middle East and its duration still need to be monitored.

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