Thailand Thai Chuay Thai Plus stimulus program

The Thai government has moved toward extending its economic stimulus efforts through the ‘Thai Chuay Thai Plus’ program. Initially, the Prime Minister gave preliminary approval for a second phase of the project as the first phase approached its conclusion in late September. Officials indicated that funding would be secured through existing emergency loan decrees and the regular budget to ensure sufficient liquidity.

Following this, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formally approved the principle for the second phase to provide relief for citizens facing high living costs. The government intends to coordinate this initiative with the existing state welfare card program to ensure comprehensive coverage. Officials have characterized these actions as necessary measures to reduce the public's financial burden amidst global economic shifts, such as interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve, rather than purely populist measures.

As of September 18, 2026, the ‘Thai Chuay Thai Plus’ (60/40) program has reached a cumulative spending total of 161.55 billion baht. This total includes 92.9 billion baht in government co-payments and 68.65 billion baht from citizen contributions. The initiative has benefited over 26 million citizens and supported approximately 1.19 million verified shops, with most transactions occurring through traditional retail stores and a smaller portion via food delivery services.

The Ministry of Finance is expected to present operational results and specific details regarding the project’s extension to the Cabinet for consideration on September 22, 2026.