Bangkok: The Cabinet has sanctioned a central budget of 2.9 billion baht to enhance the Pracharat Welfare Fund, aimed at bolstering retail spending through welfare cards. This initiative will draw a total of 26 billion baht from the central budget to stimulate economic activity.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, disclosed that the budget will cover expenses for 13.45 million welfare cardholders. The allocation includes several benefits: a monthly allowance of 300 baht for essential consumer goods, educational products, and agricultural raw materials at designated Blue Flag shops; an 80 baht per person discount on cooking gas for three months; and a 750 baht per person monthly subsidy for public transportation, which includes BMTA buses, bus terminals, and electric trains.
Additional relief measures include subsidies for electricity and water bills. Households will receive up to 315 baht monthly for electricity, with conditions applied for usage beyond specified limits. Water bill subsidies of up to 100 baht per household are also offered, with specific arrangements for usage exceeding this amount. Furthermore, the disability allowance will see an increase from 800 to 1,000 baht per person monthly.
As reported, the Fund had a balance of 6,034 million baht as of September 30, 2024. For the fiscal year 2025, the Fund has been allocated 50,400 million baht, with an average monthly expenditure of 4,720 million baht from August to September 2025.
Ms. Sasikarn further stated that the Cabinet has recognized the progress in disbursing the economic stimulus budget under a 157 billion baht framework. Budgets for 49 agencies, covering 8,431 items and amounting to 109.8 billion baht, have been approved. An additional 26 billion baht has been transferred to the central emergency budget, increasing the government's current emergency or necessary budget to 122.556 billion baht, which accounts for 3.27 percent of the 2025 budget. This is expected to support enhanced economic stimulus and provide financial flexibility.