Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said the initiative would expand the “Thai Help Thai Plus” programme by encouraging participating restaurants to offer affordable meals while maintaining quality and portion sizes, reports the Bangkok Post.
The ministry is considering financial support for shops to help cover ingredient costs, with possible assistance of B3,000, B5,000 or B10,000 per restaurant. The pilot phase will select 100,000 shops from a network of about 250,000 restaurants under the Thai Help Thai Plus programme.
The scheme is expected to run for at least three months and could begin before August if approved by Cabinet, Ms Suphajee said. “We want to help reduce expenses for salaried workers while expanding the Thai Help Thai Plus programme,” she said.
Participation will be voluntary, with restaurants selecting affordable menus, such as rice with two side dishes for no more than B40 per plate.
Shops will receive signs to help consumers identify budget-friendly outlets. Ms Suphajee added the ministry was also preparing measures to support farmers and SMEs, including aid for agricultural products and measures to tackle cheap imports.