The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) revealed that 4 billion baht has already been approved under the Emergency Decree authorizing borrowing of 1.7 billion baht to combat the energy crisis, to be used for welfare card programs and the Thai Help Thai Plus scheme.

The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) revealed that the first phase of the 400 billion baht emergency loan decree for the energy crisis, totaling 170 billion baht, has already been approved to support the state welfare card program and the Thai Help Thai Plus project. The PDMO is moving forward with the establishment of a subcommittee to review the second phase, which focuses on restructuring the country's energy transition.

July 7, 2569. Ms. Jindarat Viriyathaveekul, Director of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). It was revealed that progress has been made in borrowing 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 in 2569 (the Emergency Decree on Borrowing), totaling 4 billion baht. Regarding the borrowing under Plan 1, aimed at assisting grassroots groups and SMEs, with a budget of 2 billion baht, requests for funding totaling 1.7 billion baht have now been approved. This funding will support the State Welfare Card project and the Thai Helps Thai Plus project.

“Currently, 1.08 billion baht has been secured through promissory notes (P/N) totaling 6.5 billion baht and loans from financial institutions totaling 3.58 billion baht. The average loan term is 4.3 years, with an average cost of 1.24% per year. Meanwhile, there are additional requests for funding for other projects, but details cannot be disclosed at this time.”

Regarding the use of funds under Program 2, which focuses on restructuring for the energy transition, the Loan Screening Committee has established a subcommittee to carefully and thoroughly review the expenditure of this budget. Clear criteria for consideration under Program 2 have been defined through three sub-plans, including central guidelines and specific criteria for evaluating each sub-plan.

“Currently, some agencies have submitted requests for funding under the second phase of the loan plan, but we cannot disclose details at this time as they are still under consideration. Some agencies have also informally submitted details to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) for review, to determine if any additional details or conditions are needed to ensure the projects are robust and aligned with the objectives of this Emergency Decree on Borrowing.”

The project details will be gradually compiled and submitted to the screening committee for consideration within 30 days of receiving proposals from the agencies. During this process, the proposals must first pass through the sub-committee. This matter requires urgent consideration because the Emergency Decree on Borrowing is implemented to address urgent economic needs, therefore a relatively quick review period is necessary.