PM defends co-payment initiative

PP wants criteria for eligibility reviewed

PUBLISHED : 16 Jun 2026 at 04:19

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has defended the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme, rejecting claims that it shifts financial burdens onto citizens and saying it is helping stimulate spending, support businesses and strengthen the economy.

Speaking after launching a publicity campaign for the programme with food delivery platforms at Government House on Monday, Mr Anutin thanked participating agencies and private-sector partners, including LINE MAN, GrabFood and ShopeeFood, for helping expand access to the scheme.

He said the programme has benefited both consumers and merchants by lowering costs for shoppers while increasing sales for businesses. Participating entrepreneurs have also gained access to reskilling and upskilling programmes, AI technology and modern business tools aimed at improving efficiency and expanding their operations.

"This is called Thai helping Thai, or a win-win for all parties," he said.

Mr Anutin said that while the programme operates on a co-payment basis, its broader economic impact is reflected in higher revenues for participating businesses.

Available data showed merchants joining the scheme had recorded average sales increases of fivefold during the implementation period, with some reporting growth of nine to ten times.

He added that stronger sales and broader customer access could help businesses establish a higher income base even after the programme ends, supporting their long-term sustainability.

Addressing concerns over government borrowing used to finance the programme, Mr Anutin said the funds were raised entirely in baht, eliminating exchange-rate risks, and that repayments would also be made in baht regardless of the repayment period.

He noted that the current borrowing cost stands at 1.2% per year, significantly below the earlier estimate of no more than 3%.

He rejected suggestions that the programme imposes a burden on taxpayers, saying the government remains responsible for servicing the debt and that the scheme is designed to inject money into the economy through a co-payment mechanism rather than direct cash transfers.

Meanwhile, the opposition People's Party called for a review of eligibility criteria, arguing that some tax-compliant SME restaurants have been disadvantaged by the current rules. The party proposed allowing more properly registered small businesses to participate and suggested using the remaining 16 billion baht budget to support operators and encourage entry into the tax system.