Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved a central budget of 7.7 billion baht to assist citizens in managing high energy prices. This budget aims to subsidize transportation costs and organize activities that will reduce the cost of living across the nation.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet meeting on April 11, 2026, sanctioned a central budget allocation of over 7,742 million baht. This budget is divided into three primary areas of focus.
The first area involves caring for vulnerable groups with a budget of 6,022.85 million baht. This will cover expenses related to welfare provisions for eligible individuals under the 2022 State Welfare Registration Project, continuing into the 2026 fiscal year, and measures to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups as per the Cabinet resolution from March 26, 2026.
The second area targets measures to assist transport operators, including drivers of vehicles using fuel and non-scheduled freight transport operators. These measures will utilize a budget of 1,458 million baht, supplemented with 601 million baht from the Road Safety Fund. This initiative will benefit 467,507 vehicles, with payments made via PromptPay to registered businesses.
The third area focuses on alleviating the cost of living for the public with a budget of 260.60 million baht through three key projects. The "Green Flag Affordable Price Plus" project aims to distribute agricultural products at affordable prices, helping farmers reduce costs and increase household income. The "Relief Program to Reduce the Cost of Living for Citizens" offers savings through government-subsidized stores, mobile units, and food trucks. Lastly, the "Thai Helps Thai, Increase Income for Thai SMEs" project promotes sales activities through online platforms, generating revenue for entrepreneurs.
These initiatives are designed to help citizens access essential goods at reasonable prices while boosting sales channels for producers, farmers, community enterprises, and SMEs, thereby increasing income during the current economic slowdown.