Bangkok: The green light has been given for a universal newborn child allowance of 600 baht for children aged 0-6 years. Yotsanan chaired a meeting of the National Children's Board, approving a universal 600 baht allowance for newborns aged 0-6 years. The meeting highlighted the "Miracle 2,500 Days" agenda and supported the 10-year youth strategic plan.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Dr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the 2nd meeting of the National Committee for the Promotion of Child and Youth Development (NCYPD) in 2026, along with Mr. Nikorn Somklang, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, as well as high-ranking officials and civil society representatives, to accelerate the implementation of key policies aimed at improving the quality of life for Thai children and youth in all dimensions.
Professor Dr. Yoschanan stated during the conference that promoting and developing children and youth is a challenge for Thailand, which is rapidly entering an aging society and facing a declining birth rate. Therefore, a key goal is to ensure that children and youth born are of high quality and productivity amidst a changing global context in terms of economics, technology, and climate. Development must keep pace with these changes.
Professor Dr. Yoschanan further emphasized that, "Promoting and developing children and youth must be comprehensive in all dimensions, including physical and mental health, life skills, and future career skills, through the provision of appropriate welfare and services in order to reduce inequality and provide equal opportunities."
Furthermore, it is believed that the importance of development must begin with promoting the participation of children and youth, so that they can express their needs or the obstacles that affect their lives, with adults providing support, motivating them, and overcoming those obstacles, enabling children and youth to grow up to be quality individuals.
A key agenda item approved at the meeting was the provision of a universal child allowance of 600 baht per person per month for children aged 0-6 years, starting from the 2027 fiscal year. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will expedite the submission of this proposal to the Cabinet for approval. Furthermore, to facilitate the process and reduce waiting times for the public, the meeting also approved the elimination of the requirement to publicly post lists of eligible recipients, thereby streamlining the registration process and enabling children to receive the allowance more quickly.
Another resolution was the promotion of policies to encourage the birth and development of quality Thai children under the concept of "The Miracle 2,500 Days." The meeting agreed that the development of children during the first 2,500 days of life is a key national agenda item to address the population crisis and enhance the country's human capital development. This measure will emphasize community-based care mechanisms, integrated inter-ministerial work, and support for the development of a National Early Childhood Data Platform.
In addition, the meeting approved the guidelines for implementing the 10-year strategic plan of the National Children and Youth Council of Thailand (2025-2031), which covers six main development areas: 1. Developing 21st-century education; 2. Developing mental and physical well-being; 3. Expanding employment opportunities; 4. Ensuring meaningful participation; 5. Adapting to the impacts of climate change; and 6. Preventing and responding to violence against children and youth.
The Ministry of Education has also been tasked with promoting the participation of youth representatives in the Education Committee of the House of Representatives.