People delighted by extension of ‘Let’s Go Halves’ scheme, insists minister
People are very grateful to the government for approving a second phase of the “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) subsidised-shopping scheme on Tuesday, PM’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Friday.
He added that many people had benefited from this scheme, which was introduced to boost spending.
The scheme will be expanded to cover 15 million Thais from the original 10 million.
Until March 31, the government will pay 50 per cent of a participant’s bill for food, drink and general goods up to Bt150 per day. The cap on the total subsidy per person over the whole period has been raised from Bt,3000 to Bt3,500.
The total budget for both phases of the scheme is Bt22.5 billion, aiming to generate spending of Bt45 billion.
Each phase is designed to boost GDP by 0.32 per cent by injecting up to Bt105 billion into the economy.
In response to Pheu Thai MP Karoon Hosakul’s criticism that the scheme is allowing vendors to take advantage of consumers, Thanakorn said the Finance Ministry is keeping a close eye on retailers and will take legal action against those caught taking advantage.
“PM’s Office Minister Anucha Nakasai has instructed the Consumer Protection Board to act on people's complaints as soon as possible," he said.