Merchants Push to Extend Thai Help Thai Plus Until December
Small business owners are urging Thailand's government to extend the Thai Help Thai Plus stimulus program through December, warning that merchant sales could plunge 20-30 percent without it. The Finance Ministry is expected to decide on the
Small business owners are calling for the Thai Help Thai Plus stimulus program to be extended through December, warning that sales could drop 20-30 percent if it ends this month. At the Nong Waeng Food and Service Centre 3 at Khon Kaen University, reporters surveyed merchants participating in Phase 2 of the Thai Help Thai Plus program, which the Finance Ministry is currently reviewing with a decision expected this September.
Piyathida Yothep, 29, a vendor, said the program has been an effective economic stimulus, significantly increasing customer spending. Customers who previously spent 20 baht now spend 40, 60, or 80 baht or more. However, the program ends this month, and while she believes merchants have prepared for the decline, an extension through the new year would provide valuable continued support. If the government extends it for another two to three months, it would offer excellent economic stimulus for merchants and the general public.
Tongsak Sutiprappha, 59, another merchant, said the program has greatly helped shops because customers spend much more. About 90 percent of vendors in the market participate, and without it, sales would likely fall 20-30 percent. An extension of two more months, as reported, would continue boosting the economy, and customers have unanimously voiced support for extending the program through the new year.
