Govt considers second phase of 'Khon La Khrueng Plus'

The government is studying the feasibility of launching a second phase of the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, following an overwhelmingly positive public response on day one of its rollout, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.

- WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

Speaking after inspecting a market behind the Finance Ministry on the first day, Mr Ekniti said spending under the scheme reached 339 million baht in just half a day, with over 1.66 million users and 273,000 participating stores.

He said that if a second phase is implemented, the government will likely prioritise those who missed out in the first round and increase participation among taxpayers. The budget would be drawn from leftover funds from the first phase rather than new allocations.

“If the public’s response remains strong, the prime minister believes the programme should continue,” Mr Ekniti said.

“Our team is now studying how to do that.”