Registration for the "Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40" scheme opens today from 6am for both merchants and ordinary citizens, with the government subsidising up to 60% of purchases in an effort to stimulate the grassroots economy nationwide.
Speaking on Sunday, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Pherdwiwatthana said the government had established clear registration procedures for shops, small businesses and public transport operators to ensure participation is convenient, transparent and verifiable.
Merchant registration will remain open from Monday until July 31.
Businesses that previously participated in the "Khon La Khrueng Plus" scheme can immediately confirm their participation through the Tung Ngern mobile app.
Merchants who did not participate in the earlier programme must register at service points jointly operated by the Interior Ministry and Krung Thai Bank or at any Krung Thai Bank branch nationwide. Applicants are required to open an account as Tung Ngern merchants and submit the necessary documents.
New merchant applicants must also verify their business category, obtain certification and complete document submission at designated service points.
Public transport operators, including electric rail systems, buses, public boats and affiliated transport services, can apply directly through the Tung Ngern app.
Successful applicants will receive SMS confirmation. A "Thais Help Thais Plus" banner will then appear in the Tung Ngern app, enabling merchants to accept programme conditions and begin receiving payments between June 1 and Sept 30 from 6am to 11pm.
Eligible participants include food and beverage outlets, general retailers, blue-flag shops, community stores, public transport operators and small legal entities with annual revenue of no more than 1.8 million baht.
Franchise convenience stores and businesses operating as sales agents are excluded.
Eligible purchases cover food, beverages, general goods and public transport services. Excluded items include lottery tickets, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, vouchers, prepaid cards and advance-payment services.
General public registration also opens Monday and runs until Sept 29, or until the 30 million-participant quota is filled.
Applicants must be citizens aged 18 or older, must not hold welfare cards and must not have been suspended from the programme. Benefits may be used from June 1 to Sept 30.
"The government is placing importance on facilitating small-scale entrepreneurs alongside ensuring transparency, so that the Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 scheme will serve as a key mechanism to stimulate the grassroots economy and generate widespread circulation of income in communities," Ms Lalida said.
