Government Savings Bonds Sell Out in 21 Seconds

The Finance Ministry announced the successful debut of the "Government Savings Bond Plus," with 2 billion baht in bonds purchased through the Pao Tang app wallet in just 21 seconds, reflecting strong public investment appetite. The next sale round opens August 3-5, 2025, via the Bond Connect Platform with a minimum investment of 1,000 baht. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekkanit Nitithanprapas unveiled the product on July 31, 2025, describing it not merely as a savings vehicle but as a structural tool to address critical national challenges. He noted that many Thais lack savings equivalent to six months of essential expenses, while household debt exceeds 86% of GDP—among the region's highest—and Thailand's savings rate has declined from 27.7% of GDP in 2014 to just 25.3%. With 53 provinces now having elderly populations exceeding 20%, the rapid aging society faces financial insecurity without stronger savings promotion today. The Savings Bond Plus offers fixed interest rates of 1.80% annually for three-year bonds and 2.80% for ten-year bonds, with additional benefits including monthly availability, attractive returns, a secondary market for transparency and liquidity, and multiple distribution channels including the Pao Tang app, commercial banks, securities firms, and streaming applications. Citizens can invest from as little as 100 baht through the Pao Tang wallet or from 1,000 baht through banks and securities companies. The minister emphasized that the product serves three interconnected levels: household financial security through consistent monthly savings and better retirement readiness; strengthening Thailand's capital market infrastructure and liquidity; and supporting national savings recovery after nearly a decade of continuous decline.