Thailand Shifts 27B Youth Fund to New 157B Stimulus Plan

Following the decision taken at the meeting of the Economic Stimulus Policy Committee on Monday (May 19), the Finance Ministry proposed a new economic stimulus plan, which the Cabinet approved on Tuesday within a budget framework of 157 billion baht.

The strategy includes infrastructure for transportation and water management, tourism development, reducing the effects of exports and increasing productivity, supporting the local economy, and more, according to government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. It is a Administrative procedures to stimulate the economy in order to maintain jobs and create a basis for expansion. According to him, the money is taken from the yearly budget for the fiscal year 2025, more especially the central contingency fund for economic stimulus and systemic strengthening.

The money comes from the central contingency fund of the fiscal year 2025 annual budget, which has a maximum of 157 billion baht set aside for economic stimulus and system strengthening. Project ideas must be submitted by agencies utilizing the Economic Stimulus Plan 2025 forms. To be reviewed by the designated screening subcommittee, proposals must be sent via the Deputy Prime Minister, the supervising Minister, or a relevant authority. By the end of May 2025, proposals must also be sent concurrently to the Budget Bureau. The government would reroute the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout for 2.7 million youths between the ages of 16 and 20—which was previously budgeted at 27 billion baht—to more appropriate initiatives under the new stimulus plan, according to a Government House source.