Updated
Updated · Nation Thailand · Aug 3
Thailand's 60/40 Subsidy Program Circulates THB86.4 Billion in 2 Months, Drawing 26 Million Users
Updated
Updated · Nation Thailand · Aug 3

Thailand's 60/40 Subsidy Program Circulates THB86.4 Billion in 2 Months, Drawing 26 Million Users

2 articles · Updated · Nation Thailand · Aug 3

Summary

  • THB86.4426 billion flowed through Thailand’s economy in the first two months of Thais Help Thais Plus, with the government covering THB49.6016 billion and consumers adding THB36.841 billion.
  • 26,040,623 people and 1,192,636 merchants joined the 60/40 scheme, which officials said is aimed at easing living costs and supporting purchasing power as consumption slows.
  • 96.6% of transactions were made at physical shops and 3.4% via food-delivery platforms, channeling spending to restaurants, retailers, street vendors and market stalls.
  • 215,577 newly registered merchants accounted for 18.1% of participating businesses, while the Tung Ngern app now uses AI tools to help small retailers manage inventory, cash flow and financing records.
  • September 30 is the deadline to use the benefit, which covers 60% of eligible spending up to THB200 a day and THB1,000 a month, with unused monthly allowances expiring.

Insights

Can AI-powered payment apps turn a short-term subsidy into long-term growth for Thailand’s small merchants and future loan access?
Did Thailand’s THB86 billion co-payment boom create new spending, or just pull customers away from VAT-registered restaurants left outside the scheme?
Will Thailand revise its THB1.8 million eligibility cap after small formal restaurants reported sales dropping 30% to 40%?