Co-pay unlikely to help big eateries

Sales during low season 'alarming'

A noodle shop in Saphan Kwai area of Bangkok. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)

The government co-payment stimulus scheme "Thai Chuay Thai Plus" is unlikely to benefit mid-sized to large restaurant operators, says the Thai Restaurant Association, calling on the government to provide support to the neglected segment.The government is subsidising 60% of payments, with participants paying the remaining 40%. The government subsidy is capped at 200 baht per day and 1,000 baht per month, running from June to September.

Non-legal entity restaurants and retail operators are eligible to participate. Small legal entities with annual revenue of less than 1.8 million baht are also eligible.

This means mid-sized to large restaurants that are legally registered taxpayers are typically not eligible, said Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association.