Thai Government Mulls Second Phase of 'Thais Help Thais Plus' Subsidy Scheme

PUBLISHED : 8 Aug 2026 at 05:28 NEWSPAPER SECTION: News WRITER: Mongkol Bangprapa The government will review its fiscal position before deciding whether to proceed with the second phase of the "Thais Help Thais Plus" co-payment scheme or revise its conditions. Speaking at Government House on Friday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government would consider measures that support economic growth, boost trade and improve livelihoods. He said details of the scheme had yet to be finalised, including whether the current 60:40 subsidy ratio would be adjusted to 50:50. "We have to look at our budget position first," he said, adding the government needed to decide whether funding should come from the annual budget or a planned 400-billion-baht borrowing decree. He defended the borrowing plan, saying the 1.2% interest rate would be worthwhile if economic returns exceeded financing costs. The funds were intended to benefit the broader economy rather than specific groups, he said. Mr Anutin said critics had focused on the potential debt burden while overlooking gains in trade, investment, exports and economic growth.