The Ministry of Finance is considering proposing "Thai Help Thai Plus," combining the welfare card and the co-payment scheme to assist 43 million people, to the Cabinet on May 19th.

The Ministry of Finance is preparing to propose "Thai Help Thai Plus," combining the state welfare card and the "Half-Half Plus" schemes, to the loan screening committee as the first project, totaling 4 baht, before submitting it to the Cabinet on May 19th. The scheme will grant benefits to a total of 43 million people.

5 May 2569 Dr. Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance It has been revealed that the Ministry of Finance intends to merge the "Half-Price Plus" project and the State Welfare Card project into a single platform under the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" project. This is expected to cover 43 million people, ensuring targeted assistance and simplifying the registration process.

The assistance is divided into forms, with approximately 13 million vulnerable/low-income individuals receiving direct relief without having to contribute any money.

While the low-income group with some purchasing power, approximately 30 million people, will utilize a 60:40 subsidy model, where the government contributes 60% and the public pays 40%, to help reduce the cost of living and stimulate spending simultaneously.

"Currently, the Ministry of Finance is finalizing the budget to be used for this project. It may not rely solely on funds from the emergency borrowing decree, but could also supplement with funds from the central budget or surplus funds from procurement as appropriate. This needs further consideration by the screening committee."

However, it is expected that the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" project will be submitted to the screening committee for the expenditure of funds under the Emergency Decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow money to address the impact of the energy crisis and create a national energy transition, with a budget of 400,000 billion baht. This will be the first project to be submitted for approval by the screening committee, and if approved, it will be immediately presented to the Cabinet for approval around May 19, 2569, so that citizens can begin exercising their rights as targeted by the government on June 1, 2569.

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