The Commerce Ministry is targeting 100,000 food stalls nationwide for a 40-baht rice-and-curry scheme to help alleviate living costs.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said the initiative would expand the "Thai Help Thai Plus" programme by encouraging participating restaurants to offer affordable meals while maintaining quality and portion sizes.
The ministry is considering financial support for shops to help cover ingredient costs, with possible assistance of 3,000, 5,000 or 10,000 baht per restaurant. The pilot phase will select 100,000 shops from a network of about 250,000 restaurants under the Thai Help Thai Plus programme.
The scheme is expected to run for at least three months and could begin before August if approved by cabinet, Ms Suphajee said. "We want to help reduce expenses for salaried workers while expanding the Thai Help Thai Plus programme," she said.
Participation will be voluntary, with restaurants selecting affordable menus, such as rice with two side dishes for no more than 40 baht per plate. Shops will receive signs to help consumers identify budget-friendly outlets. Ms Suphajee added the ministry was also preparing measures to support farmers and SMEs, including aid for agricultural products and measures to tackle cheap imports.
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