42-billion-baht aid package to cushion the financial impact of Covid restrictions
The government will provide a 42-billion-baht aid package for businesses and individuals affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions in the 10 “dark red” provinces. The Bangkok Post reports that 30 billion baht of the relief package will come from the government’s loan decree, while the other 12 billion will come from the national budget. The provinces of Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla are currently under a “partial lockdown” to curb the rapid rise in Covid-19 infections.
The aid package has been approved by Cabinet and announced by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on his Facebook page. The PM says the government is trying to help people as much as possible, as he called on them to keep the faith.
“Please don’t give up in this difficult time. I and the government will find every way to help all of you as much as possible. We won’t lose this war (against the outbreak). Nothing will make us give up. No matter what will happen next, we will fight until we win.”
According to the Bangkok Post report, the relief measures are being implemented for both business operators and their employees. Danucha Pichayanan from the National Economic and Social Development Council says 9 types of business are covered by the measures, including construction, hotels, food services, art, entertainment, and recreation.
The measures will provide some relief for loss of income as well as help with utility bills, including electricity and water costs, for both private homes and small businesses, excluding government and state enterprise offices. Relief on electricity bills will depend on usage, while water bills will be reduced by 10% for households and small businesses from August until September.
Danucha adds that the government also plans to lower tuition and other fees for the first term of this education year, while asking the Bank of Thailand and other financial institutions to relax debt repayment requirements.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
