PUBLISHED : 22 Jan 2026 at 04:53

A countdown sign for the election is displayed by the Bang Sue district office in the Saphan Kwai area, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote in the election and referendum on Feb 8. Nutthawat Wichieanbut

Pheu Thai’s launch of its new co-payment policy, branded "More Than Plus 70:30", has drawn sharp criticism from its chief rival, the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party, which has questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposal.

Citing public doubts lingering from Pheu Thai’s unfulfilled digital wallet pledge in the 2023 election, Industry Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the party must first convince voters that its new promises are financially sound and achievable.

"Economic stimulus should not be about competing over who gives away the most," he said. "It should be about who can spend the budget most wisely and deliver real, sustainable results."

Pheu Thai’s proposal would see the state cover 70% of spending and consumers just 30%, a much higher subsidy than the 50:50 cost-sharing model used in the BJT-led "Half-Half Plus" scheme.

Pheu Thai believes the scheme would help revive the grassroots economy by encouraging daily spending, increasing customers for small businesses such as food stalls and street vendors, and generating a multiplier effect through the repeated circulation of money, job creation and value-added tax returns to the state.

The party said the existing Half-Half Plus scheme only lifted GDP growth by about 0.2% in 2025.

With many households tightening their purse strings, Pheu Thai contends that asking consumers to shoulder half of the spending burden no longer stimulates demand enough, making a higher state contribution necessary.

According to details on Pheu Thai’s Facebook page, funds would be distributed to a wider target group, namely all Thai nationals aged 16 and above.

Mr Thanakorn said it would require a huge budget but not sustainably address economic challenges.