Thailand to Extend Aid Programme Two More Months
Thailand will extend its aid programme for two more months amid rising geopolitical tensions and oil prices, with monthly payments and funding details to be finalized by the Finance Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammaphand confirmed on September 15 at Government House that Thailand faces renewed geopolitical risks, citing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices. The Prime Minister has asked Finance Minister Ekniti Nithitapyaphas to consider extending the Thailand Helps Thailand Plus Phase 2 programme further. When asked how many months the extension would last, Supachai held up two fingers and said the Prime Minister would set the direction. Regarding whether the monthly payment would remain at 1,000 baht, Supachai said Finance Minister Ekniti would provide details, noting the government would need to evaluate funding options over the two-month period.
Supachai confirmed the government would draw from all available budget sources, including emergency loans and regular appropriations, with Ekniti to decide which to use. On the Commerce Ministry's response to higher oil prices, she said measures similar to those rehearsed in March would be implemented, following consultations held on September 14 with Ekniti, Deputy Prime Minister Prakorn Nil Praphan, and the Energy Ministry. She acknowledged that stimulus would extend beyond the Thailand Helps Thailand Plus scheme, as the current crisis may be more severe than the previous one, compounded by the pandemic and lingering economic weakness.
