Academics & Retailers Urge Govt. to Expand 'Thai Help Thai Plus' Policy

Khaosod•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Academics and the Thai Retailers Association are urging the government to broaden participation in the "Thai Help Thai Plus" economic stimulus program to include more retail and modern trade businesses.

•Academics and the Thai Retailers Association propose including more retail and modern trade businesses in the "Thai Help Thai Plus" economic stimulus program.
•The current criteria are seen as limiting the program's effectiveness and short-term impact.
•Expanding the program aims to boost GDP, create a wider economic impact, and increase tax revenue.
•Concerns were raised about the need for medium-term measures and structural economic reforms alongside stimulus programs.

Overview

•Academics and the Thai Retailers Association believe that expanding the "Thai Help Thai Plus" program to include more retail and modern trade businesses will maximize its economic impact.
•Associate Professor Dr. At Pisalvanich suggested the government adjust criteria to allow juristic person shops with income exceeding 1.8 million baht and retail groups to join the project.
•Associate Professor Dr. At Pisalvanich estimates the measure could boost GDP by 0.4-0.5%.
•Allowing larger retail groups and tax-compliant shops to participate is predicted to create an "economic whirlwind" with a more comprehensive supply chain impact.
•Mr. Nat Wongpanich, President of the Thai Retailers Association, stated the "Thai Help Thai Plus" project is a timely measure that can truly stimulate short-term purchasing power.
•Expanding eligibility to modern trade is expected to improve public access to goods, reduce usage restrictions, and better distribute funds to Thai SMEs.
•The Thai Retailers Association emphasized that expanding participation to tax-compliant businesses will increase VAT collection.
•Both academic and retail sectors propose that the government's success in economic stimulus lies in designing comprehensive measures that link with the real economy, including opening up participation for tax-compliant retail and modern trade.

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Key Quotes

Associate Professor Dr. At Pisalvanich

"The government should consider adjusting the criteria to allow juristic person shops with income exceeding 1.8 million baht, including retail groups nationwide, to participate in the Thai Help Thai Plus project."

รัฐบาลควรพิจารณาปรับหลักเกณฑ์ให้ร้านค้านิติบุคคลที่มีรายได้เกิน 1.8 ล้านบาท รวมถึงกลุ่มค้าปลีกทั่วประเทศ สามารถเข้าร่วมโครงการไทยช่วยไทยพลัสได้

Associate Professor Dr. At Pisalvanich

"The measure will boost GDP by around 0.4-0.5%, but if large retail groups and tax-compliant shops are allowed to participate, it will create a more effective "economic whirlwind.""

มาตรการดังกล่าวจะช่วยผลักดัน GDP ได้ราว 0.4-0.5% แต่หากเปิดให้กลุ่มค้าปลีกขนาดใหญ่และร้านค้าที่อยู่ในระบบภาษีเข้าร่วม จะทำให้เกิด “พายุหมุนทางเศรษฐกิจ” ที่มีประสิทธิภาพมากขึ้น

Mr. Nat Wongpanich

"The Thai Help Thai Plus project is a timely measure that can genuinely stimulate short-term purchasing power."

โครงการไทยช่วยไทยพลัสถือเป็นมาตรการที่ “มาถูกจังหวะ” และสามารถช่วยกระตุ้นกำลังซื้อในระยะสั้นได้จริง

Mr. Nat Wongpanich

"If the government expands eligibility to include more modern trade, it will allow citizens easier access to goods, reduce usage limitations, and distribute funds more widely to Thai SMEs."

หากรัฐบาลขยายสิทธิ์ให้โมเดิร์นเทรดเข้าร่วมเพิ่มเติม จะช่วยให้ประชาชนเข้าถึงสินค้าได้สะดวกขึ้น ลดข้อจำกัดในการใช้สิทธิ และทำให้เม็ดเงินกระจายสู่ผู้ประกอบการเอสเอ็มอีไทยในวงกว้างมากกว่าเดิม

Key Entities

Policy

Thai Help Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทยพลัส)

A government economic stimulus program aimed at boosting domestic purchasing power.

Person

Associate Professor Dr. At Pisalvanich(รองศาสตราจารย์ ดร. อัทธ์ พิศาลวานิช)

An international and ASEAN economics expert who proposes expanding the 'Thai Help Thai Plus' program.

Mr. Nat Wongpanich(นายณัฐ วงศ์พานิช)

President of the Thai Retailers Association, who views the 'Thai Help Thai Plus' as a timely stimulus measure.

Organization

Thai Retailers Association(สมาคมค้าปลีกไทย)

An organization representing retail businesses in Thailand, advocating for broader participation in the 'Thai Help Thai Plus' program.