A street food vendor prepares fresh fruit for sale at a wet market in East Bangkok, Thailand, on May 9, 2025. Photo by AFP
The Thai government has scrapped a plan to distribute THB10,000 (US$300) to each citizen aged 16–20 amid growing global economic uncertainties.
The decision comes as Thailand’s export and manufacturing sectors face challenges from global economic uncertainties.
“Despite the challenges, the government remains committed to achieving GDP growth of over 3% in 2025,” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said recently, as reported by The Nation.
Under the plan, 2.7 million young people would have received THB10,000 baht each, a total handout of THB27 billion (US$814 million).
A source from the government revealed that the anticipated economic uncertainty in the second half of 2025 has prompted a complete overhaul of the stimulus plan.
The government will repurpose THB157 billion from the central emergency and contingency budget to fund more targeted and timely economic initiatives.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has said that various economic stimulus policies are being explored, with inclusivity across all age groups as a priority, rather than targeting a specific demographic as originally planned.
“This is a global economic crisis. We need to use both financial resources and policy tools to stimulate the entire economy, not just focus on one age group,” the Prime Minister said.
