Opposition Criticizes 500-Baht Aid Extension as Political Damage Control
Opposition deputy leader Sirikanya Tangsakul criticized the Thai Help Thai Plus program's scaled-down second phase as inadequate damage control, arguing the 500-baht monthly payment won't ease living costs or boost genuine economic relief.
On September 21, at Parliament, Sirikanya Tangsakul, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, announced details of the Thai Help Thai Plus program's second phase, which will provide 1,000 baht over two months—500 baht monthly—scaled down from the original 1,000 baht per month for four months. She stated that the reduced payment reflects a reallocation of energy transition funds to relief efforts.
Sirikanya criticized the initiative as a continuation of failed relief methods, questioning why citizens must contribute 40 percent of their own costs if full aid could be provided immediately. She noted that living costs have not declined because oil prices remain elevated, perpetuating cost-of-living pressures. As an economic stimulus, she argued, the program delivers no genuine benefit.
Sirikanya asserted that the government's true aim is to boost political popularity amid mounting public criticism and low approval ratings—a goal she said the modest 500-baht extension will fail to achieve. She reiterated that the 200,000 million baht in loans should be used to address unmet relief needs for farmers, fishers, and transport workers, not to boost government favorability.
