After the kickoff of phase 1 of the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” program 10 days ago, over 19 million people have used their entitlements, increasing cash flow in nearly every market across the country. The government is preparing to launch phase 2 of “Khon La Khrueng Plus” to continue stimulating the economy and spending.
Phase 2 will cover those who missed out in the first round, while users from phase 1 can continue to use their entitlements in phase 2. It is expected to be approved by the Cabinet in December 2025 GMT+7 and implemented in early 2026 GMT+7.
Before phase 2 begins, the “Economic Team” interviewed Thai people, both program users and participating merchants, to gather opinions on the advantages, disadvantages, concerns, and challenges. This feedback aims to help the government refine “Khon La Khrueng Plus” to better meet needs and further stimulate the economy. Let's explore the enthusiasm as follows.
Personally, I am satisfied with the Khon La Khrueng Plus program because it helps reduce daily living expenses effectively and tangibly, whether for food or everyday items. I use my entitlement to buy food, necessities, and BTS rides since I take the BTS to work six days a week. I feel it is worth it and that I have used the entitlement fully.
"Although the government's allocation of 2,400 baht isn't large, it helps save money and better manage monthly expenses. I spend gradually as needed to make the entitlement last longer and get the most value."
Overall, using the entitlement works well, but when many people use it simultaneously, the system can slow or fail to load. Improving system stability a bit more would be excellent. Participating stores are not hard to find, and I have not experienced being exploited. Prices remain normal, and service is as good as before. However, there seem to be fewer stores than before. If publicity or incentives encouraged more small stores to join or if store registration steps were simplified, more merchants would participate, making it more convenient for users.
"The government's assistance hits the mark during times of high living costs, importantly including tax-paying citizens by giving them additional funds, which further encourages spending. I hope the government continues this program because it truly benefits people and is easily accessible. Simplifying registration steps for both merchants and first-time users would likely increase merchant participation and user convenience, helping the domestic economy circulate more."
I think “Khon La Khrueng Plus” is a good program because it cuts costs by half. For example, when buying salmon priced at 200 baht, we pay only 100 baht, saving a lot. It makes me happy spending under this program and encourages more spending. Nowadays, I walk to the neighborhood entrance and buy from almost every shop there.
If I speak personally, the 2,000 baht limit is a bit low. I wish it were higher or unlimited so I could spend the full amount at once. However, since the government aims to drive the economy, limiting daily spending to 200 baht is understandable. I try to spend within the given amount daily to extend use and prevent problems like people scanning funds for cash conversion.
"200 baht per day suffices for food purchases since I don’t usually buy household goods or expensive items. I mostly use it for food. Clothes I order online anyway. Most people use it for food. Almost every store at our condo's market participates in Khon La Khrueng because spending is easy and merchants are easy to find. Residents spend eagerly."
"Registration and scanning are easier than before. For people with moderate incomes like me, it helps reduce expenses and lets us eat pricier foods we want. The 200 baht daily limit is the only slight issue—it's too low. I want this program to continue because the economy genuinely livens up. Vendors who were once quiet now sell much better, and residents come down to shop more. I'm unsure if allowing Khon La Khrueng on delivery apps will reduce in-store shoppers, but currently with in-store scanning, it’s lively. I rate it 10 out of 10."
Overall, I am satisfied with Khon La Khrueng Plus as it makes daily spending easier and more flexible. Buying food or goods at participating stores feels easier to decide on. It is a cost-effective program that meets real daily spending needs.
"The amount received is quite useful. Although I wish it could be a bit more to cover expenses better, I understand the government's constraints. I prefer to spend gradually so the entitlement lasts throughout the program period. I mostly buy food and drinks as they are essential daily items and can be used frequently."
Also, it’s easy to find participating stores because many join, both small and large. This allows use across many locations and occasions. There are minor issues like occasional app slowdowns, especially during payment or topping up, but overall it works well and conveniently.
"This program genuinely reduces expenses. Though spending feels easier and more frequent, it tangibly helps ease living costs. I hope the government maintains such programs continuously because they save people money daily and support economic circulation at the community level."
"I just got Khon La Khrueng entitlement for the first time and feel happy to receive it as it helps ease my parents’ financial burden. The system is easy and convenient to use, with no issues, although sometimes the app is a bit unstable when scanning QR codes."
I use the entitlement to buy food, drinks, and BTS rides, spending gradually to cover daily costs. Finding merchants is easy, and I have not encountered any store exploiting the program by raising prices or charging extra VAT, as some news suggested.
"The total 2,000 baht amount is reasonable, but the daily 200 baht limit is quite low and doesn’t cover daily expenses fully. If possible, it should be raised to 250 baht to match current living costs. I hope the government continues Khon La Khrueng or other programs to help reduce citizens’ expenses continuously."
Turning to merchants, “Roi Ah Khao Mun Gai Ton” has been open for over 14 years, located in the Tharakorn community on Ramkhamhaeng 166 Road. The shop opens from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most customers are office workers and local residents nearby, with others coming from different areas by word of mouth.
"Overall, I’m very satisfied with the Khon La Khrueng Plus program. It really helps merchants, especially small shops like ours during the still-recovering economy. It is a great support."
Khon La Khrueng Plus really boosts sales. Previously, we had to worry daily about whether customers would come or stock would sell out. Since this program, more customers dine here as they feel more confident to spend because they pay only half. We hit sales targets almost every day."
On joining the program, I admit I’m not worried about retroactive taxes. We researched this thoroughly since we are a small shop with modest daily income. Larger shops with higher daily revenue might need to study the information more carefully for peace of mind."
The registration process was convenient and not complicated, although sometimes the system slows or staff struggle due to high merchant application volumes. Overall, it went smoothly. I hope this kind of program continues as it truly helps sellers and buyers. In this tough economy, small shops like ours survive, and customers get goods at affordable prices. It benefits both sides and helps everyone get by together."
Khon La Khrueng has visibly made customers spend more easily, increasing sales by about 70%. For example, daily sales rose from 100 to around 170 bags. Customers who used to buy only 1-2 bags now buy up to 5 at a time, so products sell out faster and the day ends sooner than usual. I want the program to continue as it benefits both small vendors and consumers.
"Joining was not complicated because I participated before, and I’m not worried about retroactive taxes. When I first joined Khon La Khrueng previously, the Revenue Department inspected and imposed a lump-sum tax. Since then, I have paid about 3,000 baht tax annually at a fair rate. I pay every year now without complaints. I hope this good program continues."
Since the first day of Khon La Khrueng Plus, sales have increased with more customers. The market activity is clearly livelier. Customers’ purchasing power has grown; they now spend 150-200 baht instead of 100 baht per visit. Customer numbers have increased about 20%, doubling or nearly doubling total sales compared to before the program.
"The economy over the past 1-2 years has been very sluggish since the COVID-19 crisis, causing sales to drop. We’ve managed to survive, earning just enough to live but not save much compared to better economic times before Khon La Khrueng. The economy was truly bad before this program."
Joining required visiting district and bank offices and taking a photo of the store to prove existence, which wasn’t difficult. Retroactive taxes aren’t an issue because I’ve been paying lump-sum taxes annually already. I’m not worried since the previous round. Although I see the benefit, I suggest that if the economy truly recovers, government subsidies may no longer be necessary and funds could instead be used for sustainable national development."
The “Khon La Khrueng Plus” measure has improved sales compared to before. Normally, I must sell all my stewed pork leg rice daily. What changed is that sales now finish faster — sometimes as early as 7-8 p.m. instead of 9:30-10 p.m. More customers buy, and people decide to spend more easily. However, I don’t make more food, so sales volume remains the same.
This measure helps low-income groups, especially housewives or those on low wages. They used not to buy stewed pork leg rice as a main dish priced at 100 baht per pack, usually buying boxed meals or only occasionally main dishes. With the program, they use 50 baht from the government to buy a full pack, and some customers now return 2-3 times weekly.
The application process isn’t difficult if previous information exists. In this phase, the government requires all participants to verify identity and submit documents at district or subdistrict offices, unlike before when this was not needed. I’m not worried about taxation as I have filed taxes since the first phase of Khon La Khrueng under a lump-sum system, which I find acceptable and willingly pay. I hope the program reaches everyone because currently only 20-30 million people can access it, while many tens of millions remain ineligible. I myself have not yet received entitlement and await phase 2. All customers want to use this benefit.
Economic Team
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