THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Shopping subsidy stimulates over Bt33 billion spending in 40 days

Shopping subsidy stimulates over Bt33 billion spending in 40 days

The government’s subsidised shopping scheme, as part of stimulus measures to lift the economy, has facilitated spending amounting to Bt33.75 billion as of December 2.

The “Kon La Khreung” (Let’s Go Halves) scheme runs from October 23 to December 3.

Under the campaign, 10 million citizens will receive discounts of up to Bt150 per day on purchases at participating stores, capped at Bt3,000 per person throughout the period.

Ministry of Finance deputy spokesman Pornchai Theeravet said that “Nearly 900,000 merchants have registered to join the campaign, while 9.52 million people have exercised their right and spent Bt17.23 billion, whereas the government has subsidised Bt16.52 billion, creating total spending in the economy of Bt33.75 billion,

“Provinces that have seen the most spending are Bangkok, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chonburi and Chiang Mai.”

On Thursday, the Centre for Economic Situation Administration approved a Bt22.5-billion budget to extend the campaign to the second phase, which will run through March 31, 2021.

“The second phase would open for 5 million more citizens, while those who have registered in the first phase would automatically get an extra Bt500 discount cap per person to spend in the second phase,” he said.

“The previous Bt3,000 cap would also get extended to March 31 automatically, so there’s no need to hurry with the spending before the year’s end to avail of the full discount,” he said.

“The Ministry of Finance estimates that the Kon La Khreung campaign, together with the addition of Bt500 to spending allowances of state welfare card holders, would help stimulate the economy and result in at least a 0.2 per cent increase in GDP,” added Pornchai.

RELATED
nationthailand