Editorial: Government 60%, People 40%
Thailand's government approved a 175.7 billion baht cost-of-living relief program for 2025, offering 30 million citizens 4,000 baht in monthly subsidies from June-September through a 60-40 government-citizen cost-sharing model via the Pao T
The Cabinet has approved the Thailand Helping Thailand Plus program, a cost-of-living relief measure for 2025 with a budget cap of 175,718.66 million baht under a 200 billion baht loan framework. Registration opens through the Pao Tang app from May 25-29, 2025 between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM to receive a total of 4,000 baht distributed at 1,000 baht per month for four months.
The program covers 30 million ordinary citizens under a 60-40 cost-sharing model where the government covers 60% and citizens contribute 40% of expenses to access the benefit. Once registered and identity verified, citizens can use the benefit from June 1 to September 30 at participating merchants only, with a daily government subsidy cap of 200 baht.
An additional 13.18 million state welfare cardholders will automatically receive increased benefits totaling 1,000 baht monthly between June and September under the same terms.
A key condition is that each person can only receive one benefit and cannot use it in duplicate with the state welfare card. Unused portions of the allowance within a month cannot be carried over to the following month.
The program aims to help citizens and small business operators cope with the cost-of-living crisis driven by rising energy costs that have inflated goods and service prices. By providing timely relief across both target groups, the government seeks to prevent purchasing power from contracting further.
The initiative also supports small retailers nationwide impacted by rising costs, helping them sustain operations while learning digital commerce and AI systems. Previously participating merchants in the People First Plus program can confirm their eligibility through the Tung Ngoen app from May 25 to September 30. New merchants can register at Bangkok Bank branches from May 25 to July 31.
Building on previous government programs, this is a short-term relief measure requiring complementary policies to sustainably improve living standards and foster genuine self-reliance among citizens.
