Bangkok: The Cabinet has unveiled the “Half-Half Plus” program, enabling welfare cardholders to utilize their cards in supporting merchants and expanding sales opportunities.

According to Thai News Agency, the Economic Cabinet has approved a new measure allowing 13.4 million state welfare cardholders to use their welfare card credit to purchase goods from over 900,000 participating merchants nationwide. The “Half-Half Plus” program is designed to enhance access for citizens while simultaneously increasing sales for merchants. Previously, cardholders were restricted in the number of merchants they could engage with.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat revealed that the integration of the welfare card system with the “Kon La Khrueng Plus” (Half-Half Plus) merchants is expected to broaden sales channels for merchants and offer greater convenience for cardholders. Payments are anticipated to commence shortly as the system is under development to facilitate data linkage.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat assured that the second phase of the “Half-Half Plus” project is slated for completion before the dissolution of Parliament on December 12, 2025. He affirmed that the government has allocated sufficient funds and reserved additional resources to manage emergencies and flooding in the South, ensuring a smooth implementation of the project.