Bangkok: Starting tomorrow, the government will increase welfare card balances by 1,700 baht to assist 13.4 million people with living expenses. Payments will occur in two installments, scheduled for November and December.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Finance has announced its preparedness to distribute cost-of-living assistance funds to state welfare cardholders. This follows the Cabinet's approval of 22.78 billion baht from the central reserve budget, designated for emergency and necessary expenditures to alleviate financial burdens on low-income individuals.
The financial assistance will total 1,700 baht, split into two segments of 850 baht each. The first installment will be available on November 1, 2025, whereby cardholders will receive a total credit limit of 1,150 baht, which includes an existing purchasing limit of 300 baht per month. The second installment will add another 850 baht on December 1, 2025.
Cardholders can utilize their ID cards to buy essential consumer goods at Blue Flag stores and over 100,000 participating merchants nationwide, provided they adhere to specified conditions. Cash exchanges or withdrawals are strictly prohibited.