Breaking 30 Million People! Cabinet Approves 'Thai Help Thai Plus' Program Rolling Out Next Week with Benefits for All Target Groups
Thailand's Cabinet will approve the "Thai Help Thai Plus" program next week, with rollout scheduled for June 1st to benefit over 30 million people including welfare card holders and the general public.
At 11:00 AM on April 30, 2025 at Government House, Prime Minister Anuthon Charnweerakul and Interior Minister called in Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpong, Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry Lavarana Saengsnit, Bank of Thailand Governor Withaya Rattanakorn, Prime Minister's Office Minister Phraradr Parisananantkul, and NESDB Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan for discussions.
Pharadr Parisananantkul, overseeing the Budget Bureau, revealed that the Prime Minister convened economic agencies to discuss the Thai Help Thai project framework, with expectations for a Cabinet resolution next week. Today's meeting was necessary for preliminary discussion, with plans to potentially convene an economic Cabinet meeting on Monday, May 4, pending confirmation whether that date works given it is a public holiday.
Pharadr noted that Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti previously announced the Thai Help Thai program, also known as "Kohn La Khrueng Plus," would launch on June 1st. The initiative encompasses multiple projects targeting over 30 million people, divided into two segments: welfare card holders numbering 13.4 million and the general public. Officials are currently reviewing exact figures for the general population segment, but combined totals are expected to exceed 30 million beneficiaries.
Regarding program readiness and budget allocation, Phradr indicated they are awaiting details from the Finance Ministry, which sets policy direction, along with other ministries including Labor, Education, and Agriculture regarding their respective relief measures.
When asked whether the target group would be 20-30 million people, Phradr clarified that initially it comprises welfare card holders at 13.2 million people, plus those entering the Thai Help Thai or original 50-50 Plus program. Officials are currently calculating the exact figures for the general population segment, with combined totals expected to exceed 30 million program beneficiaries.
