Government Open to Extending Thai Help Plus Program

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed on August 3 at the Interior Ministry that after surveying Si Yan Market the previous day, he received feedback from residents wanting the government to extend the Thai Help Plus program. He stated that if the measure benefits the public, the government is ready to consider it, though it must weigh the appropriateness of the timing. Anutin stressed that his government is not populist and seeks to help citizens stand on their own feet, but will roll out economic stimulus measures in phases as needed.

When asked about problems found during the market survey, the Prime Minister turned the question back on reporters, asking if they found the program useful and satisfactory. Responding to a Nida Poll showing that while people see the program as beneficial, some remain hesitant to support the current government, Anutin said that is fine because the government still has three years for the public to judge its sincerity and commitment.

The Prime Minister cannot judge his own performance; the public will be the final arbiter of whether to return the government to power and how much they benefit from it, Anutin said. When asked if the program could be expanded or budgets increased in the future, he deferred the question to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

In a lighter moment, when journalists mentioned Anutin's casual appearance at yesterday's market visit, he joked that the breeze was cool and the powder helped with the heat.