Bangkok: Total spending on the first day of the Half-Half Plus program reached nearly 2 billion baht. The first day of the “Half-Half” program saw a resounding success, with spending reaching nearly 2 billion baht. The Prime Minister invited merchants and business owners to register for the program and ordered the Ministry of Interior to visit the area to facilitate identity verification for merchants and business owners, hoping to increase the number of spending options available to the public.

According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat revealed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has encouraged merchants and entrepreneurs who have not yet decided to register for the “Kon La Khrueng Plus” program to not worry about the vendor identity verification process and procedures. He has instructed the Ministry of Interior to proactively conduct field surveys and facilitate registration and identity verification for vendors and entrepreneurs participating in the program. This aims to increase the number of eligible individuals who wish to spend through merchants and entrepreneurs.

“Merchants and entrepreneurs participating in the Half-Half Plus program will not submit sales data to the Revenue Department. Please do not be alarmed or fall for fake news. Interested merchants and entrepreneurs can still apply until December 19, 2025,” said Mr. Siripong.

Mr. Siriphong added that spending under the “Kon La Khrueng Plus” program is divided by store type as follows: Blue Flag stores saw spending of 709 million baht; food and beverage outlets, 697 million baht; general and other stores, 474 million baht; service shops, 10 million baht; OTOP shops, 8 million baht; and public transportation, 3 million baht. The total spending under the program is 1.9 billion baht. The top 10 spending regions in the country are Bangkok, Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen.