Thailand approves 27 billion baht COVID-19 relief fund

Thailand has approved an additional 27 billion baht ($807.17 million) in COVID-19 relief measures to boost domestic consumption amid the pandemic. 

The measures include a subsidy on utilities, which will be offered to welfare card holders, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said at a news conference, according to Reuters. 

Support will also be extended for an existing scheme that encourages domestic travel until end-February as the pandemic situation eases, the spokesman said. 

The benefits include a subsidy of up to 3,000 baht (US$90), a 600 baht (US$18) voucher per hotel room per night, and a subsidy of up to 3,000 baht on flights.

READ: Thailand approves US$518 million of COVID-19 support

The government also approved an investment budget worth 468 billion baht (US$14 billion) for state enterprises and subsidiaries in the 2022 fiscal year starting on October 1, which will help boost economic growth by 0.31 percentage point and create 163,000 jobs, said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.

On top of that, it also gave the green light on Investment projects worth 1.9 billion baht (US$56.75 million) to support the rural economy.