New co-shopping scheme coming, travel subsidy programme extended
The government’s co-shopping subsidy campaign “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) will get a new phase of life in 2022 after the current 3rd phase ends on December 31, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday after a Cabinet meeting.
Under the campaign, the government will cover 50 per cent of bills for food, drinks and basic necessities of up to THB150 per day when each eligible person pays via the Pao Tang application at participating shops. The total subsidy per person is capped at THB3,000.
“The fourth phase of Let’s Go Halves is expected to start in March and will last for two months to promote domestic spending,” Thanakorn said.
“Users of the current phase should use up all of their subsidy before the end of the year as leftover money cannot be used for the new phase.”
The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday also decided to extend the “Tour Tiew Thai” tour scheme from January 31 to April 30, 2022, while the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) travel subsidy campaign will feature two million additional room nights to promote domestic tourism.
Under the Tour Tiew Thai scheme, the government will cover up to 40 per cent of the cost of tour packages for a maximum of one million people, capped at THB5,000 per trip.
Under Rao Tiew Duay Kan, registrants can receive a 40 per cent discount on hotel rooms and restaurants. They will also get an e-voucher when checking into a hotel as well as a 40 per cent flight refund when they check out. The subsidy was originally capped at 2 million room nights, with registrants required to reserve a room at least 7 days in advance.
“To further promote the domestic tourism industry, the Cabinet also approved a waiver of the permit extension fee for tourism businesses at THB2,000 per permit and for tour guides at THB200 per permit for two years,” added Thanakorn.