Bangkok: The Treasury Department has extended an invitation to “Half-Half Plus” merchants to participate in a skills development program, offering training aimed at upskilling and reskilling merchants, with potential earnings of up to 2,000 baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Winij Wisetsuvarnabhumi, Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, announced the launch of the skills development programs for merchants participating in the “Kon La Khrueng Plus” project. The initiative began on November 19, 2025, and is set to conclude on December 19, 2025. The program’s objective is to enhance the capabilities of merchants within the project, with the opportunity to receive government support of up to 2,000 baht, in accordance with the project’s criteria and conditions.
As of November 24, 2025, a total of 64,790 stores had successfully developed their skills. However, this figure does not reflect the total number of eligible recipients. The Ministry of Finance wi
ll process the data and announce the 400,000 eligible recipients on December 23, 2025, through text messages on the “Tung Ngern” application and Short Message Service (SMS). Support funds will be transferred to eligible stores via Krungthai Bank accounts linked to the “Tung Ngern” application on December 25, 2025.
The Ministry provides three channels for merchants to enhance their skills: joining a food delivery platform, participating in online training via the Government Savings Bank, or through the Department of Business Development’s DBD Academy. Merchants may choose one channel for skills development. Eligibility requires prior participation in the Half-Half Plus project. Merchants must check the “Tung Ngern” application to verify eligibility for citizens’ rights under the project before commencing skill development.
Merchants are required to register for skills development using their national identification number or taxpayer identification number, matching the number used for the Thung Ngern store a
pplication in the Half-Half Plus project. Discrepancies in identification numbers will result in ineligibility for government support funds.
For participation via the food delivery platform, merchants can apply to platforms such as Grab, Lineman, Robinhood, or ShopeeFood between November 19, 2025, and December 19, 2025, provided they have not previously applied. Successful application and completion of at least five transactions under the Half-Half Plus program without cancellations will mark successful skill development.
Online training options through the Government Savings Bank or DBD Academy require completion of one course, with criteria for success varying between channels. The Government Savings Bank demands a post-test score of at least 60% higher than the pre-test, while the DBD Academy requires a post-test score of no less than 70%.
A Ministry of Finance spokesperson urged merchants to engage in the skills development program to reap long-term benefits. Eligibility is limited to 400,000 merchants
, with rights granted based on the completion date and time of skill development on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients will receive a government subsidy of 20% of sales from the Half-Half Plus project, capped at 2,000 baht, effective from the date of successful skill development until December 19, 2025.