Bangkok: "Phradon" has officially confirmed that the "Half-Half" scheme will be rolled out in early October, prioritizing vulnerable groups in its initial phase. The scheme aims to provide significant financial support, increasing the monthly allocation to 1,700 baht for eligible participants.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn Prisananantakul, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, revealed strategic plans for the "Half-Half" project. He detailed that approximately 60 billion baht remains in the 2025 budget, with 20 billion baht reserved as a central emergency fund. The "Half-Half" project will tap into these funds, initially targeting state welfare cardholders, benefiting around 22,000 households with a total allocation of 13 million baht.
Mr. Paradorn highlighted that the economic stimulus budget will partly fund the "Half-Half" program. The Ministry of Finance is tasked with ensuring the funds reach the public by October. The scheme is set to gradually encompass all eligible groups, potentially impacting up to 20 million individuals who previously registered for the "Half and Half" Phase 5 program. New registrants will be required to register again, with further details pending from the Minister of Finance.
Additionally, the budget encompasses a 600-700 million baht allocation for military assistance along the border, and a 3 billion baht provision to address civil servant salary shortfalls. Mr. Paradorn clarified that approximately 35 billion baht of the budget would be directed towards repaying debts to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), inherited from the previous administration.
He also mentioned potential allocation of funds for quick win projects, including the farmer and retail debt suspension initiatives. Furthermore, Mr. Paradorn underscored the urgency of distributing the remaining budget, including the 1.5 billion baht earmarked for those impacted by the Thai-Cambodian border situation, a matter he has already discussed with the Director of the Budget Bureau.