Thailand’s cabinet approved 43 billion baht, approximately US$1.29 billion, to extend a consumer subsidy programme for another two months, Reuters reported on September 22. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced the decision at a briefing in Bangkok.
The extended scheme would provide registered participants with 1,000 baht each, approximately US$30, for use until the end of November. Ekniti said the purpose was to ease living costs and support the economy as households faced high oil prices linked to the Middle East crisis.
The decision was a cabinet approval of additional support under an existing consumer programme, rather than the launch of a universal payment available without registration. The total allocation and the individual benefit described different aspects of the measure: the former was the government’s approved programme funding, while the latter was the amount available to each registered participant. Reuters reported the minister’s stated economic rationale, but did not establish that the extension had already produced a measurable reduction in inflation or a particular increase in consumer spending.