The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) is preparing to launch the "Savings Plus" programme, which issues savings bonds monthly valued at 2 billion baht in an effort to encourage people to save.
Jindarat Viriyathavikul, director-general of the PDMO, said the programme is a continuation of the Finance Ministry's initiative following the issuance of the 400-billion-baht emergency loan decree.
The measure aims to help ease the public's cost-of-living burden, while supporting investment in the transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy.
The Savings Plus programme is scheduled to launch in early June, offering monthly investing in government savings bonds to encourage saving.
The bonds can be purchased through the Bond Connect platform on Streaming, operated by the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Government savings bonds are considered one of the lowest-risk investment instruments, she said. Investors can purchase as little as one unit priced at 1,000 baht, with maturities comprising three, five and 10 years.
Investors in Finance Ministry savings bonds receive their full principal back upon maturity, along with regular interest payments.
These bonds support the government's national development efforts, said Ms Jindarat.
Regarding borrowing under the emergency loan decree, she said the ministry will continue borrowing every month for one year.
The funds are divided into two portions, with the first 200 billion baht used for the 60:40 co-payment scheme, under which eligible participants receive 1,000 baht per month for four months, as well as additional support for the state welfare card programme.
The co-payment scheme targets 30 million Thais 18 and older who do not hold state welfare cards.
Meanwhile, the 13.2 million existing welfare cardholders receive an additional 700 baht on top of the existing 300 baht per month, offering 1,000 baht monthly for four months.
The remaining 200 billion baht is for investment in projects aimed at transitioning energy usage from fossil fuels to clean or renewable energy sources.
