Chai Nat Vendors Question 40-Baht Meal Program
Thailand's government plans a 40-baht meal subsidy program starting in August, but Chai Nat restaurant owners say the subsidies won't cover their rising costs for rent, wages, and ingredients.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammaphand is preparing to launch the "Thai Rice Curry Helps Thailand" program to reduce living costs by offering meals at no more than 40 baht per plate, targeting 100,000 restaurants with subsidies of 3,000–10,000 baht each for a three-month pilot beginning in August.
A reporter surveyed food business operators in Chai Nat province and found mixed reactions. Amnaj Thongdonnian, 42, owner of the popular "Oe Rice Curry" restaurant on Phaholyothin Road, disagreed with the program, citing varying operational costs across businesses including rent, wages, and ingredient prices. He argued that government subsidies are insufficient to cover actual expenses.
"The program may look good to consumers, but it won't improve conditions for restaurants," Amnaj said. "What the government should urgently do is control prices of raw materials at source—rice, meat, vegetables, coconut milk, and cooking gas—which keep rising. Addressing root causes would be more sustainable and fair to all parties."
Riders and low-income workers, however, praised the initiative as beneficial for their daily struggles with rising living costs. The current "Thai Helps Thai Plus" program at Oe Rice Curry is already popular, with over half the customer base using it.
Despite consumer enthusiasm, restaurant owners remain concerned about maintaining quality and quantity under cost constraints, and are awaiting clarity from the government on support measures and incentives to ensure business survival in the current economic conditions.
